Convicted Melbourne murderer Jonathon Sporton bashed Port Phillip prison guard: Court

A murderer armed with a rock in his pants feared he was about to be jumped just before he ferociously attacked a Port Phillip prison guard.

Jonathon Sporton arrives at Supreme Court on in 2016 after he murdered father of two

A convicted murderer was armed with a “rock in his dacks” when he savagely beat a Port Phillip prison guard.

Jonathon Sporton, 30, was sentenced in the County Court on Friday to a 20-month jail term after pleading guilty to intentionally causing injury.

Sporton, who is in jail for murder, attacked a Port Phillip Prison guard on January 18 last year.

The court heard Sporton launched a vicious assault on the prison guard which lasted almost 30 seconds.

Sporton’s attack kicked off on the upper tier of a prison wing after the killer was seen pacing up and down like a wild animal, the court was told.

Sporton’s victim was on his way back to an officer’s station when he was attacked without warning.

Sporton threw a “heavy blow” punch to the victim’s face which was quickly followed with a “barrage of punches”.

The guard attempted to protect himself and back away but Sporton followed and continued punching his victim.

Sporton, a father, continued his savage attack even while his victim was on his knees in the “foetal position”.

The victim also attempted to use his radio to raise a “duress alarm” but couldn’t because of the “ferocity of the attack”.

Sporton assaulted his victim with 30 punches in 26 seconds and the entire ordeal was captured on prison CCTV.

Multiple correctional officers eventually intervened and pulled Sporton off the victim.

Sporton was restrained and body worn camera footage captured his ravings in the moments after the his savage attack.

Sporton had a rock in his pants.

“He’s been antagonising me … what else was I supposed to do …,” Sporton said.

“Got a rock in my dacks … I didn’t use it, I just used my hands …

“Yeh, I got a rock in my pants … I was paranoid I was going to get jumped.”

Tactical Operations Group officers searched Sporton and a rock was located inside his pants. Sporton was transferred to Barwon Prison where he declined to be interviewed.

The victim was transported to the Royal Melbourne where he was treated for serious injuries including a fracture and haematomas.

The court heard Sporton was doing a maximum 21-year jail term with a minimum of 17 years after he murdered father of two Roger Bertocci in Altona North in December 2014.

Mr Bertocci had attempted to stop Sporton assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in a public street.

Sporton was a heavy drinker and drug user gripped by paranoid thoughts that his girlfriend had been having an affair, the court was told.

Mr Bertocci, 46, had popped out to buy some cigarettes on December 14, 2014, when he witnessed Sporton attacking his fiancee, who was 22-weeks’ pregnant.

After murdering Mr Bertocci, Sporton stole the victim’s wallet and fled before being arrested by police after a tense siege.

Mr Bertocci was a much-loved father of two girls whose death has devastated his wide circle of family friends.

Sporton’s former partner gave birth to a daughter who is now nine years old, the court was told.

Sporton had his total maximum prison term increased to 22 years and 10 months with a new non-parole period of 18 years.

The court also ordered Sporton’s rock be confiscated.