Prisoner denies punching and kicking officer outside cell

Mohammed Osman Sherafzar known as Osman, told a jury at Leeds Crown Court that it was another inmate nicknamed "Jonesy" who punched Prison Officer Steven Gough on B wing at Armley Jail, Leeds.

"Jonesy hit him, he's gone down and others stuck the boot in," he said. "I never touched him."

The jury has heard Mr Gough suffered four fractures to his skull and bleeding on the brain.

Sherafzar, 39, denies causing him grievous bodily harm with intent on April 27.

A second defendant, Hassan Ahmed, 25, was found not guilty by the jury yesterday on the direction of Judge James Spencer QC of doing an act tending to pervert the course of justice by washing shoes belonging to Sherafzar, after the prosecution offered no further evidence against him.

Osman told the court he was a health care rep on the wing which meant he acted as a go between for the inmates and the health service and was therefore allowed out during association periods.

Other standard prisoners were only allowed one period of association, but he had not been on any that day because he had attended a Muslim class in the morning, had a legal visit and remedial gym on his knee in the afternoon.

When no one let him out of his cell for the evening association he sounded the buzzer and Mr Gough let him out after he had explained the situation.

He had then collected some items from another inmate and got clean towels which he was putting back into his cell rather than carry them around.

He told the jury he asked Mr Gough to unlock the door to his cell and the officer raised again about whether he should be out.

It was at that point he heard Jonesy say "Let him in you p****". As Mr Gough turned he was punched by Jonesy and when he was down other prisoners began kicking him.

Osman said he told them they would be "nicked" and began pushing them off him. He told the jury he had not identified the attacker to avoid being labelled a 'grass' which would have made life intolerable.

The trial continues.