Essex man handed life sentence for attempted murder of prison officer
29 year old Joshua Kendall, formerly of Loughton, will spend a minimum of 19 years behind bars
Last updated 23rd Sep 2022
An Essex man has been handed a life sentence for attacking a prison officer with an improvised weapon while already behind bars.
29 year old Joshua Kendall, formerly of Lancaster Drive in Loughton, carried out the attack on February 8 2020 at HMP Onley in Northamptonshire.
Kendall was standing near his cell door when he approached the officer from behind, slashing him across the neck.
He was apprehended by fellow prisoners and prison staff and the prison officer escaped with minor injuries.
Earlier that year on January 22, 2020, Kendall had assaulted another prison officer over access to the prison phone by punching the man with force to the left side of his jaw, resulting in swelling and bruising.
He was sentenced for attempted murder earlier this week.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Moore from the East Midlands Special Operations 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 today will allow them to fully move forward knowing that the man who injured them will be detained for a much greater period of time."