An Edinburgh thug once dubbed the most dangerous teenager in Scotland has been handed an extra 16 months in jail for stabbing two prison officers in a row over his dinner.
Darren Cornelius, 33, lashed out at prison guards as his evening meal was being served at his cell in HMP Shotts, Lanarkshire. He flew into a rage over the delivery of the food and produced a 'small white' blade from his pocket.
Four officers immediately drew their batons for protection but he stabbed Andrew Phillips on the left side of his body causing a 1cm puncture mark near his rib cage, as the Record reports.
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Cornelius was then hit by the batons but managed to strike Derek McKay on the hand with the blade causing a small wound. Both officers attended hospital for treatment but neither were left with any long standing damage.
Cornelius, now being held in HMP Barlinnie, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting both prison officers in September last year.
Sheriff Andrew McIntyre handed him 16 months but told him it would run consecutively to an eight year term for slashing a gangland hitman in prison.
The court heard Cornelius faces a Parole Board hearing in July next year but has 'no prospect' of ever being released from jail.
Depute fiscal Alice Carey said: "Four prison guards were working at his cell passing out his evening meal when he exited his cell and stood against the wall.
"It appears he had some issue regarding receiving his meal and expressed feelings of ill will towards the prison guards. He became aggressive and produced a small white bladed item from his pocket and made towards Andrew Phillips.
"All four guards drew their batons for protection but prior to being able to do this, he lunged forward and stabbed Phillips to the left side of his rib cage causing a 1cm puncture wound.
"He then turned towards Derek McKay and lunged towards him attempting to stab him. Prison guards in response to this delivered a number of batons strikes to subdue the accused but he managed to strike McKay on his hand causing a small puncture wound."
Ross Jenkins, defending, said: "He has been candid about how this kicked off and there appears to have been issues with correspondence in the prison.
"He has a Parole Board hearing next year but realises he is not getting out and is not going anywhere. This conviction makes it an unrealistic prospect that he will ever get out and he appreciates that."
Sheriff McIntyre said: "You have a shocking record for violence. These offences are again serious and involve people who are working as prison officers and have to deal with prisoners who are dangerous.
"The court has to deter prisoners from committing offences such as these. It is important that prisoners do not think there would be no consequences for their actions."
Cornelius was handed a life sentence for leaving stranger Daniel Sweeney scarred in a terrifying random knife attack in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, in 2007.
In 2019 he was handed another eight years for slashing gangland hitman Marcello Pacitti with a Stanley knife in a workshop in HMP Edinburgh.
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