A PRISONER has been convicted of an assault that broke a fellow inmate’s jaw.
Michael Anthony Quinn (35) was found guilty of grave and criminal assault by a jury, who voted 11-1 for the guilty verdict.
Earlier this week, jurors heard how Quinn was playing pool during HMP La Moye’s evening recreation time before he went upstairs to his victim’s cell.
Crown Advocate Carla Carvalho, prosecuting, showed jurors CCTV showing him going to the other prisoner’s cell. Quinn tried to close the door, but the other man held it open.
Quinn was shown punching the man twice and walking away. Giving evidence, Quinn said he only remembered one punch and claimed the other one must not have landed.
The attack left the other man with a fractured jaw.
Quinn claimed he had been acting in self-defence. He had gone to speak to the other man about a debt, and he said he only punched him when the man told him: “I will knock you out”.
However, Crown Advocate Carvalho told the Royal Court during the trial that Quinn was “fired up and ready to use his fists because his primary concern was his reputation, not the repayment of any debt”.
She said he wanted to “make an example” of the other man.
Advocate Ian Jones was defending Quinn.
Commissioner Alan Binnington was presiding.
