A man threatened to run over a HMP Durham prison officer and made him fear for the safety of his family.
David Morton drove at the prison officer and revved his engine whilst making threats towards him and his family as the man left work. The 30-year-old carried out the intimidating offence on the same day he made a court appearance where he was accused of spitting at the same officer while serving a previous sentence at the prison - which he denied.
Morton, of Jane Street, Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Monday via link from HMP Leeds to be sentenced for witness intimidation. He pleaded guilty to the charge at the hearing.
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Neil Jones, prosecuting, said Morton had been serving a sentence at HMP Durham in January this year and had allegedly spat at the prison officer while in a segregation unit. Morton denied the allegation and the case was heard at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on July 12 where he appeared But later that afternoon, Morton turned up outside the prison, and waited for the officer.
Mr Jones said: "The complainant was aware the defendant was at the Magistrates' court that morning over an allegation of assault. He had been at work and had left to go for his lunch. He then heard a car approaching from behind and noticed the defendant was the driver. The officer felt he was in immediate danger and had to avoid the vehicle, which was headed directly for him."
The court heard that as Morton drove in his direction, he also dished out threats, saying: "There you are you f****** piece of s***, I will f****** run you over and will have you and your f****** family." Mr Jones said Morton continued to reverse in the direction of the officer just outside the precincts of the prison. The court heard that Morton also demanded the officer to "get in the back of my f****** car".
The incident finally ended when other prison officers saw what was happening and approached the vehicle. The court heard Morton had seven previous convictions for 12 offences, including battery and stalking - for which he received an 11 month prison sentence.
Amrit Jandoo, defending, said Morton had "perhaps lost his temper" and said he denies any assault on the officer. He said Morton "remained in the vehicle at all times". He said: "The threats were not something he wanted to carry out." Mr Jandoo added that Morton intends to move out of the County Durham area following his release from prison.
Sentencing Morton, Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, said he caused the prison officer "clear alarm and distress" and jailed him for nine months.
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