Kane Morten Eric Hart: Geraldton man sentenced for assaulting his cell mate, grandfather in separate attacks

A Geraldton man who attacked a fellow inmate in Greenough Regional Prison and his elderly grandfather in separate incidents has been sentenced to more than one year behind bars.

Kane Morten Eric Hart appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday on 10 matters, including three counts of criminal damage, one count of unlawful assault and assault occasioning bodily harm.

The 29-year-old-man pleaded guilty to all charges.

Prosecutor sgt Paul White said Hart assaulted his 67-year-old grandfather on June 2 in Rangeway after he started yelling at the victim for taking his drugs.

The grandfather attempted to grab his keys but Hart moved forward, grabbed his head and punched him.

He then raised a brick to threaten the victim and damaged his car.

The man tried to retreat to his house, however, Hart chased him and continued the assault.

Hart said the victim “got what he deserved” when questioned by police.

The court was told Hart committed a further assault against his cell mate on June 4 while in Greenough Regional Prison.

Hart accused the victim of having drugs and demanded he hand them over.

When the victim said he didn’t have any drugs as he was “clean”, Hart said “I’m going to now punch you in the face.”

The court heard Hart repeatedly punched the victim while prison guards tried to intervene, however, they didn’t have keys to open the cell.

His lawyer said Hart had stayed out of trouble for a few years before he spiralled out of control in June.

Magistrate Angus Hockton said the two assaults were serious offences as the prison victim could not escape and his grandfather was vulnerable.

Mr Hockton said a term of imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence.

Hart received eight months for the assault against his grandfather and four months for the prison assault.

The one-year and two-month sentence was backdated to August 19.