Brutal Jail Attack Lands Daniel Matthews a 20-Year Stretch
Daniel Matthews, 28, has been slammed with a hefty 20-year prison sentence at Worcester Crown Court today, Friday 13 November. The tough sentence follows a vicious assault on prison officers at HMP Bristol that happened back on Friday 10 January.
Spike-Wielding Inmate Launches Savage Attack
Matthews used a homemade spike on a handle to viciously attack a team of prison officers. The officers had gone to his cell to move him to segregation after hearing him threaten staff. The savage assault left one officer with a fractured eye socket and bruised eye. Another was knocked unconscious, suffering a serious head injury and a puncture wound to his jaw.
Others weren’t spared either. Several officers sustained puncture wounds from the improvised weapon, and one lost fingers after dislocation during the fracas.
History of Violence Seals Matthews’ Fate
Matthews’ violent past sealed his fate. In 2019, he stabbed a staff member at HMP Long Lartin. He also assaulted inmates and a prison governor at HMP Hewell back in 2017. His sentence combines multiple charges:
- Seven years for wounding with intent
- Five years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent
- Four concurrent eight-month sentences for assaulting emergency workers at HMP Bristol
- Three years total for assaults at HMP Hewell
- Seven years for the stabbing at HMP Long Lartin
- Concurrent one- and two-year sentences for possessing offensive weapons in prison
- Plus an extended sentence of three years added on
Judge HHJ Burbidge QC branded Matthews “a dangerous offender” and extended the sentence by three years, pushing the total to 20 years. The judge made it clear there’s no telling when Matthews could be released.
Police Vow to Stand Strong Against Attacks on Officers
Detective Constable Laurence Castle, who led the investigation, said:
“The assaults perpetrated by Matthews were planned and unprovoked and were aggravated by his repeated use of improvised weapons constructed by him.
The lengthy sentence passed today demonstrates that the behaviour exhibited by Matthews will never be acceptable and that we will always look to prosecute those who assault emergency workers.”
