Prison officers 'pelted with pool balls'

Rioting prisoners at a Teesside jail pelted officers with pool balls, a court has heard.

Teesside Crown Court was told how two prison officers were injured during the disturbance at Holme House Prison, near Stockton-on-Tees.

Three inmates at the jail deny charges made in connection with the riot, in July 2002.

Shane Taylor, 22, denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He and two other inmates, Robert Foley and Dean Temple, also deny violent disorder.

More than 60 prisoners were involved in the disturbance.

The court heard how the trouble was sparked off when Taylor was not allowed to exercise in the prison gym because it was full.

It is alleged he unleashed his anger on prison officer Colin Brown by pelting him and other officers with pool balls, encouraged by other prisoners.

Taylor, from Wingate in County Durham, is also said to have injured Mr Brown and another officer, Alan College with a broken coffee jar.

The case continues.