A prisoner who scratched a correctional officer with bloody hands and threatened to infect him with diseases has been sentenced for a series of terrifying attacks at a Queensland prison.
James Robert Smith, 34, appeared in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Friday via video link from custody, where he pleaded guilty to three counts of serious assault of a correctional officer.
The court heard that in August 2022, Smith was being escorted by a female officer at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre when he turned around and punched her in the face, causing her to fall backwards and hit her head on a concrete wall.
The officer suffered a black eye and bruising to her face and back.
In a separate incident in October 2022, Smith was being restrained by two officers when he kicked one in the chest and then spat in his face.
The court was told that Smith then threatened to infect the officer with hepatitis C and HIV, before scratching his arm with bloody hands.
The officer had to undergo blood tests and was left fearful of contracting a disease.
In the third incident, in November 2022, Smith threw a cup of liquid at a female officer, which soaked her uniform, and then threatened to throw a bucket of urine at her.
Justice Peter Callaghan sentenced Smith to three years and four months in prison, with parole eligibility after serving half of the sentence.
The court heard that Smith has a long history of violent offending and has been diagnosed with a personality disorder.
Defence barrister Joshua Fenton said Smith had a difficult upbringing and had been using drugs since he was a teenager.
He said Smith's time in prison had been difficult, as he had been subjected to isolation and lockdowns due to COVID-19.
Justice Callaghan said the attacks were "cowardly and despicable" and had a significant impact on the victims.
He said correctional officers perform a difficult and dangerous job and deserve to be protected from such violence.
Smith's sentence was backdated to November 2022, meaning he will be eligible for parole in March 2024.
