Greenfields worker suffered blows to head in teen attack, jury told

Tuesday 29 November 2022

A Greenfields employee said he had to be signed off work for more than a week after suffering blows to the head during an attack at the secure residential unit, the Royal Court has been told.

The employee was giving evidence yesterday on the first day of a three-day Royal Court trial against a teenager - who cannot be named due to their age - accused of three charges of grave and criminal assault and one of common assault.

Answering questions from Advocate Rebecca Morley-Kirk, prosecuting, the staff member said he had been called to the centre after reports that the defendant was shouting at and threatening members of staff and kicking windows and doors.

The man said he tried to calm the situation but added: "I was punched and head-butted in the head and the face several times.

"I went to work the next day but I felt disorientated all morning. I went to my doctor and he signed me off work for the next 10 days.

"For the first four days I slept 24 hours a day."

The court also heard that the defendant had kicked another staff member in the legs, leaving her with injuries to her knees.

The jury were shown photos showing the injuries to both staff members.

The first staff member also told the court that seven weeks later, the same detainee became aggressive and threatening again.

"He was saying he would smash the whole place up. He said if anyone touched him he would assault them. I think he used the word 'batter'," the alleged victim said.

Staff tried to return the defendant to his room but the Greenfields employee said: "I was punched in the head. I was kicked. I don't remember how many times.

"I was head-butted and I was bitten in the upper arm." 

Advocate Julia-Anne Dix, defending, asked the staff member whether the blows to his head might have affected his memory of the incident.

He replied: "They may have. I don't remember everything but I remember some things."

She also asked whether he had used excessive force to restrain the youth, but he said: "I only used the force I needed to keep everyone safe – the defendant, the staff and myself."

The staff member had been the most experienced member of the team on duty on the night in question, the court was told, and Advocate Dix asked: "Did you feel let down by your employers in that regard?"

He replied: "I wouldn't agree that I felt let down by my employers."

The case, over which the Deputy Bailiff is presiding, continues.