A PRISONER at a jail near Rugby who slashed an officer’s neck with a razor blade has been given a life sentence for attempted murder.
Joshua Kendall, 29, previously of Loughton in Essex, has been sentenced to a minimum of 19 years and four months for the attempted murder of a prison officer at HMP Onley.
In February 2020, Kendall approached a prison officer from behind and – using an improvised weapon incorporating a razor blade – slashed him across the neck.
The officer, with the help of other prisoners, managed to restrain Kendall, who kept making repeated slashing motions towards the officer. Other prison staff were then able to fully stop the attack from continuing any further.
Following the attempted murder of the officer, Kendall was searched and found to have a further improvised weapon.
The previous month, Kendall had punched another prison officer to the left side of his jaw, resulting in swelling and bruising.
For the attempted murder, Kendall was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 19 years and four months, and for the assault earlier that year a one-month concurrent imprisonment, meaning he will have to serve a minimum of 19 years and four months.
The officer, who did not sustain any serious injuries, wrote a personal statement which was read out at court.
He said: “This incident has affected me mentally. I think about what happened all the time and how lucky I was that he didn’t manage to hurt me physically more than he did.
“It has totally knocked me. I didn’t realise how much, but when I drive to and from work now I have times during my commute that I feel as though I can’t breathe.”
Lead investigator Det Sgt Sarah Moore, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit’s Regional Prisons Intelligence Unit, said: “I am really pleased to see Joshua Kendall handed a significant sentence for these exceptionally serious assaults, ones that could have had fatal consequences.
“Prison officers, just like other emergency workers, do not go to work expecting to be assaulted and such incidents should never be seen as simply ‘part of the job’. Violence of this nature, against those who work hard to maintain order within prisons, will not be tolerated.
“That’s why it’s so important to prosecute people like Kendall with the full force of the law and I’m pleased that he has been convicted and sentenced for attempted murder.
“The prison officers in this case have shown resolve and courage throughout our investigation and I would like to thank them both for their cooperation.
“I hope the conclusion of this case will allow them to fully move forward knowing that the man who injured them will be detained for a much greater period of time.”
In her sentencing remarks, Judge Adrienne Lucking KC commended the prison officer involved in the attempted murder case, adding: “The fact that he was able to return to work at all after this terrifying incident is a mark of his outstanding commitment and courage.”
