Convicted Edinburgh killer beat up female prison officer as she screamed for help
| Author | Vic Rodrick |
| Published date | 20 June 2022 |
| Publication title | EdinburghLive (Scotland) |
Livingston Sheriff Court was told that the 32-year-old murderer had been confined to his room in the jail's Forth Bravo wing as a result of a Covid lockdown prior to the incident.
READ MORE - Edinburgh prisoner found dead in cell while serving sentence for vile crime
The two female officers tasked with guarding him had gone to his cell at around 11.45am to ask for them his plate so they could fetch him lunch.
Demarco refused to hand the crockery over to prison officer Jessica Scott and, when it was suggested that he was under the influence of something, he demanded: "Who do you think you are telling me that?"
Roshni Joshi, prosecuting, said Demarco then moved forward into Ms Scott's personal space causing her to attempt an unsuccessful "pre-emptive strike" to push him back.
The depute fiscal said: "She informed him that she'd speak to the prison nurses in order to have him assessed.
"On hearing this the accused barged past the witness, using his arm to push her against the wall, and made his way towards witness Bell.
"Witness Bell reached for her panic alarm to summon assistance but the accused suddenly punched her to the face three or four times knocking her to the floor with the force of his blows.
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
"Witness Scott observed the accused standing over witness Bell and tried to pull him away but was unsuccessful.
"The accused was still trying to punch witness Bell who was screaming: 'Someone help me! Someone please help me!'
Ms Joshi said another prisoner tried to push the accused off the prison officer on the ground causing him to stop and leave the area briefly.
Meanwhile Ms Scott pulled Ms Bell to her feet and led her to a secure door.
The fiscal went on: "On looking back they saw the accused walking at pace back towards them with his hands full of pool balls.
"The accused then began throwing the balls, deliberately aiming at Ms Scott but the officers managed to exit the wing and retreat to a safe distance before other officers detained the accused."
She said hospital doctors had prescribed painkillers for an injury to Ms Bell's left jaw which left her unable to close her mouth properly or eat solid foods for over a week.
Demarco, who has since been moved to Kilmarnock prison, pled guilty on...
To continue reading
Request your trial