A knifeman jailed for stabbing a stranger in a Fife street will spend more time behind bars after assaulting a female prison guard.
Rhys Marshall was under-the-influence when he spat at officer Sallian Sutherland as she tried to enter his cell at HMP Perth.
He told her: “No screws getting in here.”
The 28-year-old long-term prisoner appeared via video link at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted the assault on April 23, last year.
Marshall, who was jailed for four-and-a-half years in 2020, was told he will spent an extra eight months behind bars.
Spat in guard’s face
Fiscal depute Michael Dunlop told the court: “At about 5.15pm, the complainer and a nurse went to check on the accused’s welfare.
“He appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance.”
Marshall refused to let them into his cell.
He told them: “No screws getting in here.”
Mr Dunlop said: “Ms Sutherland explained the reason for their attendance.
“At that point, the accused spat directly at the complainer and it landed on her face.”
The pair retreated and Ms Sutherland washed her face.
“There were no injuries as a result,” said the prosecutor.
Most of adulthood behind bars
A solicitor said Marshall, formerly of Methil, was not due to be released until July 2024.
“The issue was that Mr Marshall was struggling to cope within the prison environment,” he said.
“He was estranged from his family and he is a gentleman who has very little support in the community.
“He spent his childhood in care and most of his adult life has been spent in custody.”
The lawyer said: “Mr Marshall has on occasion turned to drug use, but on this day he says he cannot recollect taking any substances wilfully.
“He accepts now that that must have been what happened to make him behave in this aggressive fashion.”
The court heard that Marshall “had a good rapport” with his victim, and had since apologised to her.
He was placed in isolation for six weeks following the assault.
Sheriff Craig McSherry sentenced Marshall to a consecutive sentence of eight months.
He slashed him twice with his blade, leaving him with injuries that posed a potential threat to his life.
