Cameron Scollie: Newcastle man sentenced for assault at Clarence Correctional Centre
A man already behind bars for a series of violent offences has found himself in trouble again after he savagely bashed another inmate.
Regional News
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A Clarence prisoner bashed another inmate, punching him in the head and repeatedly stomping his abdomen, because he believed he was “stitched up” in jail, a court heard.
Newcastle man Cameron Scollie, 31, fronted Grafton Local Court on Monday via videolink from Clarence Correctional Centre.
He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray at the prison.
Scollie was already facing a hefty time behind bars after he was sentenced to eight years and three months imprisonment for offences including robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The assault of the fellow inmate occurred on February 13, according to court documents.
The victim was allegedly approached by Scollie while he was standing in a group of inmates.
Scollie “punched him with a closed right fist to the head area, followed by other punches with both fists in quick succession”.
The victim hit the floor and “put his arms up to protect his head”, the documents state.
But the attack continued regardless.
Scollie stomped the victim’s abdomen and legs and kicked the man in the back and shoulder.
This assault left the victim “unable to get to his feet” and he had “blood coming from his face, forehead and mouth”, the documents state.
After he was separated from the victim, Scollie spoke to his father on the phone and said the assault “had to be done” because “they stitched us up”.
He further stated: “(We attacked him) as soon as we got out in the morning. Early bird gets the worm.”
In a separate phone call to another man, Scollie was asked if he had “won” the confrontation.
He replied that he “got pinched for it”.
“ … they showed us the stills and everything … It was a good laugh,” Scollie said.
Magistrate Juliana Crofts convicted Scollie and sentenced him to six months imprisonment.
The term was dated to start March 2 and expire on September 1.
Scollie’s earliest possible release date from prison is November 1, 2026.
Co-accused Leon King has entered pleas of not guilty to the same charges and his case is next listed for mention on August 28.
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Originally published as Cameron Scollie: Newcastle man sentenced for assault at Clarence Correctional Centre
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