AN INMATE was found guilty of kicking an officer during a prison brawl.

Tyreece Ancel, aged 20, kicked a prison officer in HM Prison Portland on April 23 after a conflict between inmates and staff broke out.

The officer, who was restraining a prisoner during an in-yard altercation, was kicked in the ribs by Ancel, who was then restrained himself.

Prosecutor Andrew Newman said the strike to the ribs caused bruising and the officer had to sign off work for a month.

During his return to work the prison officer was regraded to a different role within the prison because he 'did not want to put himself in harm's way again'.

Changing his role within the prison has also seen him lose income due to a reduced salary, and the victim said he has suffered with mental health issues.

A fellow prison officer told the court he saw Ancel use a kicking motion to his colleague's ribs and saw the victim, who was restraining a prisoner on the floor, in distress after the strike.

The case was heard in Ancel's absence, who failed to attend via video link.

After hearing the evidence from the victim and witness the court found Ancel guilty of the assault by beating of an emergency worker.

He will be sentenced on March 4.