An Afghan migrant already serving a three-year jail sentence for assaulting a family-of-five over a football dispute has been handed an additional 30-week sentence for attacking a prison guard. Nasratullah Wahidi, 20, pummelled the officer at HMP Winchester, striking him three times in the face and multiple times to the back of the head during a volatile incident involving other inmates.
Brutal Assault on Prison Officer
The unprovoked attack left the guard requiring hospital treatment for a cut lip and had a 'significant impact' on him. The officer stated he could not understand why Wahidi was so 'incredibly angry' and found it difficult to restrain him. CCTV footage showed Wahidi using both hands to punch the officer, who described the assailant as looking 'like a man possessed'.
Background of the Offender
Wahidi arrived in the UK legally with his family in 2020 but now faces deportation, with the Home Office planning to remove him. He previously attacked a family at Chickerell Training Camp in Dorset after kicking a football at someone and confronting a 15-year-old boy. He pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and assault by beating, receiving a three-year sentence.
During his latest court appearance at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court, Wahidi blamed his violent behaviour on epilepsy, speaking through an interpreter. Prosecutor Lizzy Cox detailed the assault: the officer intervened in a disturbance, and Wahidi punched him repeatedly. The officer sustained injuries to his eye, cheek, and lip, and later sought hospital care.
Impact on the Victim
The prison officer told the court: 'I was punched in the face multiple times... This is a violent and unprovoked attack... I've worked in the role for a number of years and have always tried to treat people with respect. Experiencing this violence has had a significant impact on me.' He noted it was his first assault in 10 years of service.
District Judge Kirsty Allman sentenced Wahidi, stating: 'Prison officers do an incredibly difficult job. They should not be assaulted at their place of work... The offence was committed in a prison and the officer was entirely vulnerable surrounded by other inmates. The atmosphere was volatile.'
