Convicted killer Matej-Hoi Tsung Vanko faces Darwin Local Court for aggravated assault

A convicted killer could have his time in jail stretched after pleading guilty to assaulting a fellow inmate following some “prisoner bravado”.

Convicted killer Matej 'Matt' Vanko has made an appearance at Darwin Local Court on Monday afternoon.

Convicted killer Matej-Hoi Tsung Vanko could have his time in jail stretched after pleading guilty to assaulting a fellow inmate following some “prisoner bravado”.

On Monday afternoon, Vanko appeared via video link in Darwin Local Court to plead guilty to assaulting another prisoner on an undisclosed date.

The court heard the attack occurred when the “elderly” victim put his arm through the cell door hatch of Vanko, who grabbed the victim’s hand.

Vanko’s lawyer said the assault was of the “lower scale”.

“It was an excessive offer of a handshake because earlier there was, what I describe as, prisoner bravado,” he said.

“There was some to-and-fro between the two.”

Darwin Local Court in the CBD. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Vanko’s lawyer said the assault was for a “short duration”.

“It’s not one that would ordinarily warrant a term of imprisonment in my view.”

The prosecutor, who played CCTV footage to the court, said Vanko used “some force” in “pushing down the victim’s arm with significant force”.

“(The victim) described the incident as when ‘(Vanko) tried to break my arm’,” she said.

“That’s how he characterises this.”

The prosecutor said Vanko needed to be deterred, and referred to Vanko’s role in the 2020 Darwin Correctional Centre riot which he was sentenced for.

Judge Stephen Geary said he had reservations about handing down a sentence which would be served concurrent to Vanko’s life imprisonment.

“(It) sends him the message he can do what he likes in prison and hurt people and there’s no consequence for him.”

Judge Geary adjourned the matter to April 30.

Originally published as Convicted killer Matej-Hoi Tsung Vanko faces Darwin Local Court for aggravated assault