A PRISONER who stabbed a fellow inmate in the neck has been jailed.

Billy Edward Phillips used a homemade weapon, crafted out of a deodorant cap and a screw, to stab his fellow prisoner at HMP Winchester.

The 20-year-old victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a neck wound and nerve damage.

Phillips, 22, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent at a previous hearing.

He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment at Winchester Crown Court.

A second man, Scott John William Smith, 21, of Linnet Court, New Milton, who had previously admitted a charge of assisting an offender, will be sentenced on August 5.

The charges relate to an incident at HMP Winchester, in Romsey Road, on Thursday, September 27 last year, in which Phillips stabbed a fellow inmate in the neck.

The court heard that the weapon had been made out of a deodorant cap with a screw forced through it.

The court heard that after stabbing the victim, Phillips handed Smith the weapon, who then flushed it down the toilet.

Only the cap was recovered from the toilet bowl, however other screws were found in Phillips’ cell.

The incident was then reported to the police to investigate.

Speaking after the sentence hearing, Detective Constable Drew Wright said: “This was a nasty assault which could have resulted in a more serious injury.

“These convictions and sentences show that we will work closely with HMP Winchester to investigate criminal offences that occur in the prison and to bring offenders to justice.”

Jim Bourke, Governor of HMP Winchester, said: “This outcome sends a clear message that we will not tolerate violence and will work with police colleagues to gather evidence and secure convictions.”