A notorious sex offender who attacked a child in Dundee has been jailed again for trashing his cell at HMP Perth and trying to hit a prison guard.
Connor Tait lunged at the officer with a broken piece of ceramic before being tackled to the ground.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the 30-year-old caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to his room.
Tait, who was caged in 2014 for a sex assault on an 11-year-old boy in Menzieshill, was sentenced to another eight months behind bars.
Mute warning
Tait appeared via video link to admit charges of attempted assault and malicious mischief on June 24, last year.
He bellowed “why aye, everyone,” when he appeared on the screen.
When asked to confirmed his name, he replied: “Of course I’m Connor Tait, who the f*** else would I be?”
Sheriff Euan Duthie told Tait if he did not stay quiet, he would have to mute him.
Fiscal depute Elizabeth Hodgson told the court: “At about 5pm, officers were on duty in the prison’s C-Hall.
“Throughout the day they had loud banging coming from the accused’s cell.
“He was displaying erratic behaviour.”
The prosecutor said: “The officers entered the accused’s cell in an attempt to calm him down.
“The accused was holding a broken piece of ceramic in his hand.
“He immediately lunged towards officer Craig Stewart in an attempt to strike him.
“He was immediately restrained to the ground.”
Ms Hodgson said: “It was observed that the accused’s cell had been damaged, particularly his sink, window and a shelving unit.”
The cost of repairs was just over £230, the court heard.
A solicitor for Tait said: “This was a very unsavoury incident.
“Mr Tait has significant difficulties with depression and anxiety.
“At that time, he had just gone back into custody.
“He understands that a custodial sentence would be the only the option the court would be looking at.”
‘Most horrible’ offence
Sentencing then-22-year-old Tait to an eight year extended sentence in 2014, Sheriff Richard Davidson told him: “You were convicted after trial of one of the most horrible crimes I have had to deal with in the course of almost 20 years of sitting here.”
The trial heard how Tait pounced on his terrified victim and his friend as they played outside at a grassy area near their homes in Menzieshill in July, 2013.
His friend managed to escape and alert his parents and the police traced Tait at his home within three hours.
He claimed he had been at home watching Hollyoaks at the time.
Tait later had his sentence cut following a successful appeal.
