**Prisoner Sentenced After Series of Disturbing Assaults on HMP Parc Staff**
A notorious inmate has been handed a fresh prison term after a disturbing spree of assaults on prison staff at HMP Parc in Bridgend, Wales. Adam Smith, 33, was already imprisoned for grievous bodily harm when he engaged in a string of revolting attacks against officers, culminating in a new sentence of over three years.
The incidents, detailed in court proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court, took place between late 2023 and early 2024 and left staff traumatised. Smith’s behaviour included throwing faeces and urine at officers and a violent physical assault, actions which forced his victims to seek urgent hospital treatment and left them shaken and distressed.
The earliest of these attacks occurred on 17 November 2023. According to evidence presented to the court, a prison officer was interacting with inmates when he suddenly felt a wet substance strike the back of his head, running down his back and legs. Quickly realising the source, the officer reported a powerful stench of faeces and urine. Understandably distressed and worried for his wellbeing, he was taken to hospital as a precaution. Security footage later confirmed Smith was responsible, and he was overheard bragging to fellow inmates, stating, “I potted an officer,” a slang term for such an assault. He later claimed that he had been “paid to do it,” according to statements recorded in court.
A second shocking incident took place several months later, on 2 February 2024. On this occasion, Smith filled a plastic bottle with urine and sprayed it towards another officer, targeting the officer’s face and upper body while reportedly laughing throughout the act. The officer, slipping on the spilled liquid, suffered stinging pain in his eyes and was compelled to undergo emergency eye irrigation at hospital. The distress of the experience left him angry and deeply upset, according to his subsequent testimony.
The violence did not stop there. On 20 March 2024, Smith approached a third officer and, without warning, punched him in the mouth. The physical impact left the officer’s teeth feeling loose, and medical intervention was required to realign and stabilise them—a procedure not only physically painful, but also emotionally traumatic for the victim.
Prosecutor Jenny Yeo outlined Smith’s lengthy record, which includes 28 convictions for a range of offences, among them multiple instances involving bodily harm and battery. These details paint a picture of a man with a persistent history of violence, further reinforcing the gravity of the latest incidents.
In mitigation, Smith’s legal representative, David Pinnell, drew attention to his client’s recent diagnosis of ADHD, for which he is now receiving treatment. Pinnell also noted Smith’s expressed desire to rebuild relationships with his partner and three children, suggesting that improved mental health support could aid rehabilitation. The judge, however, made it clear that the seriousness of the offences meant a tough sentence was unavoidable.
Presiding judge Rhys Rowlands delivered a final sentence of 42 months’ imprisonment, emphasising that Smith’s punishment would be consecutive to his existing term. The judiciary appeared determined to send a strong message about the consequences of such appalling conduct against custodial staff.
This case highlights the challenges faced by prison officers on a daily basis and the very real risks associated with their work. The traumatic impact on staff goes beyond the physical, profoundly affecting their sense of safety and wellbeing at work.
As the prison and probation services continue to grapple with violence inside correctional facilities, there is growing attention on the need for both improved safeguards for staff and meaningful support for offenders with mental health challenges. This latest sentencing is likely to add momentum to those conversations about how to ensure justice, safety, and rehabilitation for all those impacted by life inside prison walls.