A Fife man’s violent rampage in the dock after being jailed has landed him a further two years behind bars.
Chad Munnoch was not expecting to be jailed when he appeared for a deferred sentence in Kirkcaldy on January 11.
As Sheriff Timothy-Niven Smith issued the 204-day sentence, Munnoch brutally attacked the GeoAmey custody officer who entered the dock to cuff him.
Munnoch repeatedly punched the guard on the head, leaving him concussed and suffering headaches for seven weeks.
He then bit the officer on the left arm, before being brought to the ground by police.
The GeoAmey staff member required first aid after the attack.
Chilling ‘find him’ comment
Police and other GeoAmey employees heard the commotion from the court annexe’s main foyer and rushed into courtroom A1.
Raging Munnoch told police after he was charged: “Cheers for telling me his name, it will make it easier to find him.”
The HMP Glenochil inmate appeared by video link at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Tuesday to admit assaulting the GeoAmey officer and leaving him injured.
He also admitted acting in a manner likely to cause fear or alarm.
The court heard the sentence imposed in January would have seen Munnoch liberated this week but he had received a further six-month prison term at Falkirk Sheriff Court since being locked up.
Sheriff Alison McKay jailed the 25-year-old for a further two years.
‘Anger management’ issues
Munnoch’s solicitor Chris Sneddon said: “He attended court and he did not expect to receive a period of imprisonment that day.
“He apologised for his actions.
“He has had an issue with anger management for all his life.
“He suffers from anxiety and depression.”
The sheriff told him: “The manner in which you then behaved towards others was entirely unacceptable.
“This is a situation where you not only struck a GeoAmey officer but you bit him on the arm and he required first aid and had a visible bite mark.”
Company reaction
A GEOAmey Spokesperson said: “GEOAmey’s officers receive extensive initial and ongoing training that provides self-protection measures and ensures those in custody are safe and secure.
“Although incidents of this nature are very rare, regrettably, escorting those in custody is not without risk.
“However, if it does happen, we will always press for the most severe consequences as we believe that any physical attacks against our staff are completely unacceptable.
“We provide aftercare support to any staff affected by any incidents at work as the wellbeing of our people will always be our top priority.”
