Description
A convicted rapist issued threats to a court before being handed a fourth life sentence for attempting to stab a prison officer's neck.
David O’Brien, 47, already serving three life sentences for attempting to murder inmates, appeared via videolink at Manchester Crown Court for the October 2022 attack at HMP Manchester.
He previously admitted attempting to murder inmate Danny Fitzsimons by attacking him with a metal bar in the gym at Ashworth Hospital.
He also admitted attacking inmate Peter Harris by approaching from behind and "slicing his neck" with an improvised knife made from a toothbrush and razor blade.
In another incident, after meeting inmate Dean Rawlinson the previous day, O’Brien asked for a cigarette, led him to a shower block, charged at him with a weapon from his waistband, and inflicted a 12cm laceration to his left cheek requiring surgery.
Prosecutor Virginia Hayton described preexisting tensions with the officer. On October 3, 2022, O’Brien went out of camera sight in the kitchen, armed himself with a sharp improvised weapon from cutlery, then struck the officer's neck as they left. He admitted aiming for the neck, but the injury was minor.
Interrupting, O’Brien said: “Are they [the victim] not waiting for me to get f***ing slammed by the judge?” He added: “I never used a weapon on a screw ever. When you’ve got screws been in the business two years, juiced out on steroids, bringing in mobile phones for me. Trying to get me kicked off the wing, assaulting me. There were five or six waiting for me.”
In a victim impact statement, the officer said the attack had a “profound effect,” causing fear, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, night terrors, irritability, withdrawal, and strained relationships. “I used to be outgoing, now I only leave the house to attend work or if I’m prompted by my partner to engage in daily things.”
Ms. Hayton noted O’Brien’s “extensive and serious” record: nine years for two rapes, 49 months in 2015 for robbery, and life sentences for attempted murder in April 2017, December 2017, and January 2023.
Interrupting, O’Brien said: “Read them all out - I want to hear them all. If you’re going to read all my convictions, read them all." Later: “Get f***ing on with it, I am getting bored of it and I need a s**t. What’s the f***ing point in another life sentence when I’m already doing three. I should be on the streets, when there’s terrorists out there blowing our kids up. Sentence me, I’m getting bored. Next time you sentence me it’s going to be for something else. Hurry up. Taking three years to bring this to court and then three hours to sentence me.”
Defence barrister Matthew O’Neill said O’Brien, diagnosed with personality disorder, offered no personal mitigation. “The injury caused was not significant. He is currently serving three separate life sentences and the facts relating to this offence may not warrant life imprisonment.”
O’Brien interrupted: “I really don’t care - you know if you want to life me off, I don’t care. Before you do sentence me, I will be back, and it will get worse. On my mother’s life. Do what you are doing, making it f***ing worth it. Hope every one of them dies of f***ing cancer. I hope one of my people catches up with you, the CPS, judges. For the f***ing lies, giving me 25 years. Can’t do convictions properly, reading just the worst ones out. Your court is f***ing me over and f***ing me over. Vengeance will be sweeter. Give me a life sentence judge, I’m not getting out any time. It’s destroyed my life. Splashed all over the M.E.N. You’ve got people doing worse for murder and whatever else.”
Judge Nicholas Dean KC muted O’Brien’s microphone. He said O’Brien was convicted of attempting grievous bodily harm, claiming it was revenge over a betrayed prison deal. “During the course of the trial he displayed highly volatile behaviour as he has today in the course of this sentencing hearing. Mr O’Brien has expressed threats during this hearing, and so I am satisfied that he is classed as a dangerous offender. I am satisfied there is a significant risk of him committing further offences and a significant risk of causing serious harm. I am sure there is a risk it will likely carry on in the future.”
O’Brien received a life sentence with a minimum four-and-a-half-year term before Parole Board consideration. The judge requested the hearing record, including threats, be sent to the prison for future release evaluations.