TWO MEN have been jailed after a ‘cowardly’ attack which left a prison inmate with his jaw ‘detached from his face’.

Jody Moore, 23, of Top Llan Road in Colwyn Bay, appeared at Mold Crown Court for inflicting grievous bodily harm, along with Alex Coxon, 22, who appeared for affray.

The pair were inmates at HMP Berwyn, Wrexham, last year when they attacked another inmate.

The court heard how on August 1 of last year, shortly after 6.30pm, Brendan Harrington was speaking to another inmate when he felt a ‘massive force hitting him’ to his head.

Moore had ‘attacked without warning’ by punching him with his fist which resulted in Harrington’s jaw being broken.

Sion Ap Mihangel, prosecuting, said the inmate had to ‘hold his jaw’ in place and he had ‘stumbled to the floor’.

The court heard how he tried to defend himself but other inmates joined in the attack when he attempted to run away.

The court heard that in interview, Moore admitted to throwing the first punch as he stated he was paying debts from items in the canteen, but was unable to pay, so after hearing Harrington threatened him through others, Moore attacked first.

In a victim personal statement, Harrington said since the incident he ‘feels like a different person’ and now has ‘no confidence and anxiety’ as he is ‘living in constant fear’.

The court heard how he is ‘constantly reliving what happened’ and ‘can’t escape the feeling of fear’.

Brian Treadwell, defence counsel for Moore, said ‘life in prison is not the same as life on the street’ as in custody ‘debts are taken seriously’.

It was also heard that reporting to guards or police ‘puts a target on your back’ and so Moore had ‘taken the law into his own hands’.

Moore was released from HMP Berwyn last year and has since ‘turned his life around’ after securing full time employment and residing with his parents.

Sentencing the two men, Judge Recorder Paul K Lewis QC, said “On the evening of August 1 Mr Harrington was speaking to another inmate when you, Moore, attacked without warning.

“You struck him a heavy blow to the face.

“The punch was cowardly. It was struck from behind and delivered without warning. As a result of what happened to him, Mr Harrington went to the ground.

“He got up and ran away. He was attacked by a number of people, including both of you. He recognised you Coxon as one of the attackers.

“You, Moore, continued the initial attack. You follow up that first blow with a kick.

“Ultimately, Mr Harrington was sent back to his cell and found to have suffered fractures in two places and he needed surgery.”

The judge went on to say that the two guilty pleas were taken into account.

He added: “The open fracture Mr Harrington suffered had detached his jaw from his face. He lost several teeth as a result of the blow.

“You, Moore, admitted you punched him, saying he was a bully and you were afraid of him. You heard rumours he was going to attack you. You, in essence, claimed you were the victim.

“When you were interviewed Mr Coxon, you chose to remain silent.”

The court heard how violence between inmates will not be tolerated and will receive punishment when it occurs.

Moore, who was the ‘instigator’ and ‘played a leading role’ was serving a 56-month custodial sentence but was released last year.

However, he was sent back to prison for 27 months, which had been reduced due to his guilty plea.

Coxon, who took part in the ‘targeting of an individual by a group’ did not cause injury but ‘willingly engaged and joined’ and so ‘must share responsibility’.

He was given a 10-month custodial sentence to run consecutively with the sentence he is currently serving.