A man has seen his jail term extended after assaulting a corrections officer at a Riverina prison.
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Anthony Sese appeared at Wagga Local Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to assaulting a law enforcement officer (correctional) while in execution of their duty.
On January 8, the 18-year-old was asked by an officer to return to his original housing unit at Junee Correctional Facility, but was defiant in wanting to stay.
Court documents reveal he was told if he didn't return he would be escorted to a holding cell and placed in new housing.
Upon been given this ultimatum, Sese agreed but while he was being guided to the door he swung back around to throw a punch at the officer.
The first blow took the officer up by surprise catching the right side of his face, and he threw his arms up to protect his face.
Sese then landed another punch on the left side of the victim's head.
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Other officers descended on the scene and restrained him.
Magistrate Christopher Halburd acknowledged that Sese pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.
"This is just an assault out of the blue on an officer," he said.
"[I am] told the defendant regrets his actions and in his mind it resulted because he had been denied certain medications."
Magistrate Halburd said correctional officers have a really hard job, and they are sorely needed.
He asked Sese if he was familiar with the phrase in footy where someone "dives" by falling to the ground easily and feigning injury.
"Well he [the officer] has not done that. He's been really honest and said 'I was a bit more shocked'," Magistrate Halburd said.
"That's lucky for you, because if you had done some damage you would have been in custody even longer.
"Clearly the only appropriate penalty is one of full-time imprisonment."
Magistrate Halburd sentenced him to a 12 months' jail with a non-parole period of seven months.
That will commence at the expiration of the current non-parole period on May 15. He will be eligible for release on December 14.
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