Inmate who took prison officer hostage sentenced

An inmate armed with a plastic prison knife who took a Dartmoor prison officer hostage has been jailed.

Scott Patterson handcuffed the warder and held him for three hours during the attack at HMP Dartmoor in July 2023.

Patterson, 37, admitted false imprisonment, assaulting an emergency worker and possessing an offensive weapon in prison.

Judge Matthew Turner jailed him to a total of 22 months, which he must serve on top of his current extended sentence.

Plymouth Crown Court heard how Patterson had earlier barricaded himself in his cell because he feared other inmates were going to kill him and make it look like suicide.

He was moved to a segregation unit but falsely imprisoned the prison officer as he was being taken out for exercise.

The officer was released after three hours and suffered reddening to his neck and was off work for two weeks.

The court was told Patterson suffered from anxiety and depression as well as paranoia caused by his substance abuse which included taking Spice.

He had been jailed for 11 years at Exeter Crown Court for wounding with intent in October 2020 for an attack on a dog walker in Paignton and was serving that sentence at the Devon jail.

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