Blackpool inmate beaten by prisoners in fracas

CCTV caught the confrontation between inmates from Liverpool and Manchester on F Wing at the Bickershaw jail in May 2016, Bolton Crown Court was told.

And even after prison officers managed to step in and separate the rival factions, it was not an end to the violence, the court heard.

Blackpool inmate, Jack Fawcett, 21 at the time, was set upon by the Merseyside prisoners near some communal pool tables, suffering punches and stamps from a crowd of attackers.

He briefly lost consciousness as a result of the beating, before prison officers were able to intervene for a second time and restore order.

Andrew Mackintosh, prosecuting, said the offences occurred in an area known as ‘The Bubble’, which contained a dining area for two landings, Douglas and Noble.

“Those on the Noble side principally came from Liverpool while those on the Douglas side were principally inmates from Manchester, at the time of the incident,” he told the court.

CCTV images showed Liverpudlians Peter Crabb, 19, Jake Higgins, 22, Kurtis Mackie, 21, and Charlie Fletcher, 22, playing various roles in the first and second disturbances.

Crabb, who is serving a nine-year jail term for firearms offences, was given an eight-month consecutive sentence by Judge Timothy Stead.

Higgins and Fletcher were also jailed for eight months and Mackie was given a four-month suspended sentence.

Several former inmates, who have also admitted to affray charges, will be sentenced on March 2.