Grafton prisoner Daniel Roach feared for life in prison punch up

A prison punch up over a card game at the Grafton jail spilt into a cell. A scuffle ensued but all was not lost. Here’s what happened next.

An inmate at a Grafton jail said he lashed out at a fellow prisoner after a threat made during a game of cards made him fear for his safety.

Dee Why man Daniel Roach, 42, was playing cards with Mathew Baxter at Clarence Correctional Centre when he punched Mr Baxter to the face with a closed fist,” Grafton Local Court heard.

“The bloke was twice my size and I feared for my life,” Mr Roach said.

Roach’s defence lawyer Anne-Alece Johnston said her client had been playing cards when Mr Baxter stood up and threatened him.

Mr Roach threw the punch in response, and the pair moved into an inmate’s cell where a scuffle ensued.

Mr Roach told the court Mr Mathews apologised in the cell and the men made up and shook hands.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden considered the medical records which recorded “nil fracture to the jaw”, and determined the seriousness of the offence to be mid-range.

When making her judgment she also noted Roach’s prior record of serious matters of violence.

Roach had pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on September 1, 2021.

He was sentenced on Wednesday to three months in jail, to expire on May 15, taking into account time already spent in custody.

Roach appeared on audio visual link from South Coast Correctional Centre where he is in custody for another offence.