Jail Beast Paul James Slashes Two Inmates’ Faces at HMP Swaleside
Paul James, 34, launched brutal attacks on two fellow prisoners using homemade knives during violent incidents at HMP Swaleside in May 2018 and January 2019.
Last Friday, Maidstone Crown Court handed James two life sentences to run alongside his existing murder conviction. He must serve at least seven years and two months before parole is even considered.
Two Brutal Attacks with Makeshift Blades
- On 16 May 2018, James used an improvised weapon to slash an inmate’s face, leaving a 15cm wound.
- He tried to hide the weapon in another cell, but prison officers recovered it.
- Just over eight months later, on 28 January 2019, James struck again, cutting another prisoner’s face with two 11cm gashes from ear to cheek.
Both victims needed hospital treatment and stitches for their injuries. In the second attack, the victim narrowly escaped being pulled inside a cell by other prisoners before James struck.
Murderer Behind Bars for Life, Now Facing More Jail Time
At the time of these savage assaults, James was serving a life term for a 2007 murder in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Alongside the life sentences for assault, he was also given two 12-month sentences for possessing knives in prison. These will run concurrently.
Detective Slams James as ‘Dangerous’
“These were vicious attacks which were unprovoked, with both victims being attacked from behind without any chance to defend themselves,” said Detective Constable Karen Hearn. “James has proven to be a dangerous individual who has no hesitation in inflicting serious injuries on others. We do not tolerate violence outside of prison and there is no place for it inside and he has quite rightly been held to account for his actions.”
