Three inmates handed extra time for attacking prison officer at HMP Whitemoor near March
It happened in 2023
Three inmates who attacked a prison officer at HMP Whitemoor, near March, have been handed extra time on top of their existing life sentences.
Ralique Young, 24, was out with other prisoners in the exercise yard at 5.30pm on 22 August, 2023, when he launched the attack.
Calvin Bishop was one of three prison officers supervising the inmates and was approached by Young, who brought up a previous incident where he’d been forcefully put back into his cell for ignoring orders.
Young punched Mr Bishop in the face and was joined by fellow inmates - Zeshaun Daley, aged 23, and Clayton Barker, aged 24 – who carried on punching him as he was crouched down trying to protect himself.
Another prison officer intervened and dragged Daley off Mr Bishop but was punched in the face himself.
The three inmates had PAVA spray used on them and were taken off the exercise yard. Mr Bishop was taken to hospital where x-rays revealed a fractured knuckle.
Daley, Young and Barker were interviewed about the attack. Daley and Barker answered no comment to all questions asked of them.
Young gave a prepared statement admitting that he was in the exercise yard with Mr Bishop but said the attack was instead just one ‘pre-emptive strike’ made in self-defence.
All three inmates were later charged in relation to the attack. Young pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and assaulting an emergency worker in January. Barker also admitted one charge of ABH at a previous hearing.
Daley denied the charges and stood trial at Cambridge Crown Court in February, where he was found guilty of ABH and assaulting an emergency worker.
All three were sentenced on Friday (4th April) where Barker was handed three years and one month on top of his existing life sentence, Daley was handed four years and two months in addition to his life sentence and Young had three years and six months added to his life term behind bars.
DC Emma Purser, who investigated, said:
“Although this may seem like an assault with no life-threatening injuries, a victim impact statement from the mother of the prison officer who was attacked has highlighted the upsetting reality and mental impact.
“In the statement Calvin’s mother explained that after the attack, he had suffered from panic attacks and insomnia. She said his mental health deteriorated, he withdrew from friends and family and has since sadly died.
“She said Calvin was proud to serve as a prison officer and happy in his role helping others improve their situation, but since a young boy had always wanted to be a police officer and had been offered a job at Cambridgeshire Constabulary – but suffered a ‘vicious, underhand and pre-meditated attack’ and will now never get that opportunity.
“Prison officers do a difficult job in incredibly challenging circumstances. To be attacked like this is completely unacceptable. I’m pleased all three defendants have now faced justice for their actions.”
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