Goodna prisoner Alesana Clifford Chubb lashes out during ‘degrading’ drug strip search

“He was a very scared man with no pants on”: An Ipswich court heard a convicted armed robber lashed out at a Borallon correctional officer who handcuffed the man in an allegedly “degrading” position.

An Ipswich court heard a prison guard at Borallon Correctional Centre was kicked in the face by a prisoner during a random drug search.

The Goodna man, Alesana Clifford Chubb, was serving time for a number of crimes including a robbery at gunpoint.

The court heard during the strip search on February 21, 2021, Chubb was handcuffed and pantless.

Defence lawyer Patrick Horgan of Cridland and Hua Lawyers said the 27-year-old suffered from drug induced psychosis but after spending two years and four months in jail sober, his mental health was improving.

“Ultimately he lashes out and kicks one of the officers behind him, he couldn’t see the officer when he lashed out with the foot.

“He makes a number of comments disparagingly and worse to officers but the context was he was a very scared man with no pants on, handcuffed face down on the cold concrete.

“He understands he went too far.”

Prosecutor Senior Constable Bridie O’Shea said Chubb had a history of violence and correction officers were entitled to carry out their job without being assaulted.

“It is well known on the dangers of a blow to the head and the potential for a far more serious outcome,” she said.

“The fact that the victim only suffered minor injuries, respectfully, the defendant should not receive any credit for that.”

The court heard as a result of the kick, the officer’s head had some bruising, swelling, and an already damaged tooth was knocked free.

Acting magistrate Rowan Silva said Chubb needed to comply with the officer’s request despite the compromising position.

“I appreciate you were in something of a degrading position being… on your hands and knees on the concrete, pants down while also handcuffed,” he said.

“I appreciate that clearly aggravated your attitude to what was going on but nonetheless you were a sentenced prisoner.
“They were lawfully conducting a search because of their suspicions that prisoners had been using drugs.”

On Tuesday, July 12, Chubb pleaded guilty to the serious assault of a corrective officer.

Magistrate Silva sentenced Chubb to one month jail to be served alongside his pre-existing two year jail term and immediate parole eligibility.

“It may yet be some time that you are actually released on parole but you will now be eligible to make the application,” he told Chubb.