A23-year-old Mount Gambier man has been convicted following an assault on his cellmate which took place while he was incarcerated in the Mount Gambier Prison last year.


The man appeared with his lawyer via audio visual link in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court last week presided over by Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos.


Mount Gambier Police Prosecutor Pero Kolundzic told the court the incident took place on May 12, 2023 when both prisoners were in the cell.


“Around lunchtime the defendant became angry at the victim about interacting with certain other prisoners and threatened to box on with the victim before leaving the cell,” he said.


“At about 5pm, the defendant and the victim were eating dinner in their cell. The defendant continued to be angry with the victim.


“The victim was eating his meal on his bed. The defendant would not let him eat at the table.


“The victim stood up and walked to a nearby shelf. The defendant was standing and using the cell toilet when he made a disparaging comment to the victim.


“As a result of the comment, the victim responded by rushing at the defendant and the defendant pre-emptively punched the victim to the face with a closed fist.”


The court heard that as a result of the punch, the victim was left with a laceration to his nose, a chipped front tooth and bruising around his left eye and forehead.


The defendant’s lawyer said the defendant had shared a cell with the victim for a fortnight and requested to prison staff to be moved as they did not get along which was denied. The defendant was convicted and issued a 12 month good behaviour bond.