Prisoner who attacked inmate avoids further punishment

A prisoner who attacked a fellow inmate has avoided further punishment after being praised for taking up courses while incarcerated.

Tatenda Kirby, 23, attacked Thomas Woodcock in the dining area of Perth Prison on January 13 by repeatedly punched him on the head and body to his injury.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that both prisoners came from the Leven area and had been involved in previous run-ins.

Sheriff Donald Ferguson jailed him for four months but the sentence will run concurrently with his current term after solicitor Rachel Aedy said Kirby had “spent his time constructively” in prison doing courses in cookery and Spanish.