The Midlands inmates given extra jail time over pool ball prison riot which saw them take over wing

Two more prisoners have been sentenced for their part in a devastating riot at a West Midlands prison which saw guards attacked and more than £110,000 of damage caused. The riot erupted at HMP Long Lartin in South Littleton near Evesham in Worcestershire on September 24, 2019.

Prisoners threw pool balls at prison staff forcing them to withdraw from the wing. Staff suffered injuries and the inmates took over the wing, smashing CCTV cameras, caused floods, built barricades and started a fire.

Specialist prison control and restraint, Tornado Teams were brought in from HM Prisons from across the country, including HMP Birmingham, HMP Bristol, HMP Woodhill, HMP Bullingdon, HMP Featherstone, HMP Brinsford, HMP Oakwood and HMP Cardiff. Once inside the prison, they regained control of the wing within 10 minutes.

Read more: Prison guard rushed to hospital as inmates go on rampage

Christopher Morrisey, 47, was given 40 months to run in addition to the 34 years he is already serving and Callum Cheetham, 30, was given 20 months to run alongside the 17 years he is already serving.

They join five others who have already been sentenced for their part in the riot. Together the criminals, who were all serving sentences ranging from 19 years to 34 years, have been given an additional 13 years behind bars.

During previous hearings at Worcester Crown Court, the following men were sentenced for their part in the mutiny:

• Dean Cody, 38 was given 45 months in addition to the 21 years he was already serving;

• Derek Law, 41, was given 40 months in addition to the 19 years he was already serving;

• Steven Jones, 41, was given 40 months to run in addition to the 19 years he is already serving;

• John Ward, 44, was given 16 months to run alongside the 32 years he is already serving and

• Jasbir Takhar, 47, was given 28 months to run alongside the 28 years he is already serving.

Read more: Prisoner says 'every day is torture' in battle against indefinite sentence

Following a previous sentencing hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Bellamy, who led the investigation for West Mercia Police, said: “Along with the cost by the damage caused, it is important to highlight the impact this incident had on the wider communities of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Teams from the fire service, the ambulance service and West Mercia Police were committed for two days during the mutiny, taking valuable services away from our local communities.

“We worked closely with HM Prison Service and together we hope this is a clear message that behaviour such as this will not be tolerated inside our prisons.”