Prisoner hits guard over a bar of soap
By MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 25th March 2008
A FEMALE inmate who attacked a prison guard for refusing to give her toothpaste and soap has lost an appeal against a three-month extension to her jail sentence.
The Filipina had claimed the policewoman actually assaulted her when she asked for toiletries.
However, the High Criminal Appeal Court threw out her appeal against two convictions – one for verbally abusing a police officer and the other for assault.
Prisoner hits guard over a bar of soap
By MOHAMMED ASLAM
Published: 25th March 2008
A FEMALE inmate who attacked a prison guard for refusing to give her toothpaste and soap has lost an appeal against a three-month extension to her jail sentence.
The Filipina had claimed the policewoman actually assaulted her when she asked for toiletries.
However, the High Criminal Appeal Court threw out her appeal against two convictions – one for verbally abusing a police officer and the other for assault.
The 47-year-old inmate was already serving a prison sentence at the Dry Dock Prison, in Hidd, for being an illegal resident when the incident took place.
“I was on duty in the female section of Dry Dock Prison when the inmate started shouting at me and demanded toothpaste and soap,” the 25-year-old Bahraini policewoman, from Isa Town, said in her report.
“I told her I was not supposed to supply her these things and she should ask the morning shift officer for them.
“But she called us animals and started shouting at me. Other inmates attempted to calm her down and even tried to pull her inside the cell, but she kept on shouting and called me a bitch.
“I went inside the cell and told her to behave, but she physically assaulted me and pulled my uniform. Then I contacted the senior officer who sent someone to handcuff her.”
The appeal court upheld an earlier verdict by the Lower Criminal Court, which received a medical report detailing injuries suffered by the policewoman.
However, the Filipina maintains her innocence. “I asked the policewoman to give me toothpaste and soap, but she refused and provoked me,” the inmate said in her statement.
“I told her I was a human being and I was surprised when she physically assaulted me. I did not shout at her as she claims.”
It is understood the Filipina could have her sentence extended even further if she is convicted on a separate charge of gambling inside the prison. aslam@gdn.com.bh
——————————————————————————–
© Gulf Daily News
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/1yr_arc_Articles.asp?Article=212601&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31005&date=3-25-2008
