A CONVICTED murderer charged with serious assaults against a Mount Gambier prison staff member had a brief hearing in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Monday.
The man aged in his 30s appeared via video-link from Yatala Prison after he was moved out of the Mount Gambier Prison following the incidents on July 21.
He is yet to enter pleas to three serious assault charges and the matter was adjourned for an answer charge date on October 16.
The accused is currently being held in the G-division of Yatala, which is the highest security section in the prison.
Last month, in a statement addressed to The Border Watch, G4S director of justice operations Brett McMerrin confirmed the assaults against the prison officer.
“G4S can confirm that an alleged assault on a G4S correctional officer by a prisoner occurred at the Mount Gambier prison on July 21, 2017,” Mr McMerrin said.
The incident raised alarm bells with Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell, who was shocked when he was notified of the incident.
“I find it absolutely outrageous that a prison officer inside a prison can allegedly be seriously assaulted by a prisoner,” Mr Bell said.
“Workplace safety is an important cornerstone of the community’s expectations and I find it ghastly that someone undertaking their day-to-day working duties has allegedly fallen victim to such a terrible assault.”
