An inmate at Whitemoor Prison – already serving two life sentences for attacking a Norwich jail inmate with a chair leg and stabbing a prisoner at HMP Bedford with a doctored paint brush – has received an additional 5-year sentence for a fresh attack on a prisoner.
Russell Ireland, 39, and originally from Ipswich, appeared before Peterborough Crown Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to unauthorised possession of a knife in prison, arson, common assault of an emergency worker and GBH without intent.
He was sentenced to five years and three months, on top of his original sentence.
The court was told he hit a fellow inmate over the head with a speaker magnet concealed in a sock has been sentenced.
The victim suffered serious head injuries after Ireland attacked him following a confrontation in the canteen at HMP Whitemoor in January 2022.
Two months later, Ireland started a fire in his cell before lunging at staff with a long sharp object as they tried to extinguish the blaze and clear the smoke.
Detective Constable Emma Purser, who investigated, said: “Ireland’s violence and destruction seems to know no bounds.
“His behaviour was frightening for those involved and he caused serious injuries. He’s proved he should remain behind bars for a long time.”
In 2014 Ireland was jailed for seven years for taking a family hostage and attacking a teenager.
The following year, whilst on remand at Norwich prison, he was convicted of attacking a fellow inmate with a chair leg and admitted repeatedly stabbing a prisoner at HMP Bedford with the doctored paint brush.
Ireland was given two concurrent life sentences at Luton Crown Court.
