Benjamin Clarke: Wellington jail inmate sentenced for stabbing

A prisoner used scissors he found to randomly stab another inmate in the stomach and face over swearing at the Wellington Correctional Centre.

The stabbing took place at the Wellington Correctional Centre.

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A Wellington Correctional Centre inmate who used scissors to repeatedly stab another prisoner has been handed another jail sentence.

Benjamin William Clarke was one of about 25 inmates packing groceries away on March 3 when he gained access to a cupboard which contained the scissors.

According to court documents, the 42-year-old confronted an inmate he previously got along well with and said “you f****** swore at me”.

Using scissors, Clarke stabbed the other inmate in the stomach multiple times and once in the facial area.

The Wellington Correctional Centre inmates had access to scissors while performing work duties.

Backed into a corner, the victim managed to punch Clarke and stop the attack.

After the stabbing, Clarke wiped blood off the scissors and tried to hide them, however they were later recovered.

The inmate Clarke stabbed suffered minor injuries and made a full recovery.

Clarke was charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared in Wellington Local Court on Tuesday via audiovisual link.

Magistrate Stephen Olischlager convicted Clarke and sentenced him another 12 months in jail.