Prison officer who was stabbed while breaking up a jail fight 'recruited another inmate to exact revenge on his attacker'

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A prison officer who was stabbed with a makeshift weapon while breaking up a jail fight recruited an inmate to beat up his attacker, a court has heard.

Calum Kerr, 27, who had worked in the prison service for six years, allegedly sounded out inmate Karlton Cummings, 37, to exact his revenge on fellow prisoner Kerney Grantham.

It came after he was left with a wound to his arm after trying to act as peacemaker during the skirmish in December 2014.

Four months later he allegedly recruited Cummings, who is still a serving prisoner, to move to the landing where Grantham's cell was to carry out the attack.

The court heard how Grantham was left covered in blood with bruising and swelling to his face, as well as a cut above his eye and a fractured cheek bone.

Prison officer Calum Kerr, 27, (pictured) was stabbed with a makeshift weapon by prisoner Kenny Grantham and recruited inmate Karlton Cummings to exact his revenge, a court heard

The day before the attack Kerr allegedly swapped shifts with a colleague so he would be working on the B wing, where Grantham's cell was.

On the morning of April 11 2015, Kerr saw Grantham for the first time since the December 21 attack.

Jurors heard Kerr showed Grantham the scar caused by the knife he made himself and the prisoner replied: 'It's tiny.'

Kerr then allegedly said: 'I would have f***** you up if you had used your fists.'

Kerr allegedly recruited Cummings, who is still a serving prisoner, to move to the landing where Grantham's (pictured) cell was to carry out the attack

Later that day, CCTV footage showed Kerr and Cummings making their way up to the top floor of the B Wing, known as B3, where they went into the prison office for ten minutes. 

CCTV showed Cummings leaving the office before approaching Grantham who was sat on a table nearby in one of the prisoners' communal areas.

Prosecutor Andrew Oliver told the court: 'After a brief conversation that they appear to be having, they then both move towards Mr Grantham's cell, go into it and the cell door is closed.

'It is at that point, the prosecution say, an assault takes place...Mr Grantham will tell you he was punched hard to the face several times in a totally unprovoked attack on him.

'His face was bleeding heavily as a result of the attack.'

Cummings then allegedly left the cell and spoke with Kerr before being taken back to the floor below, B2, where his cell was.

The allegedly attack happened at Norwich Prison (stock image) in April 2015, four months after Kerr was injured while breaking up a fight

Kerr claimed Grantham had only suffered minor injuries and told colleagues he had armed himself with a weapon inside his cell.

But when the extent of his injuries became clear he was taken to hospital.

A prison probe was launched and Kerr was arrested when it became clear the injuries were not caused when Grantham was restrained.

Mr Oliver, for the prosecution, said: 'This is a clear case of what is called joint enterprise. Mr Kerr's idea, Mr Kerr's motive, the physical attack being carried out by Mr Cummings.' 

Kerr, from Norwich, and Cummings, have both been charged with causing GBH with intent and inflicting GBH.

Both deny the offences. The trial at the Old Bailey continues.

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