A CONVICTED murderer has had ten years added on to his minimum jail term after stabbing a fellow inmate in a “brutal and vicious” attack inside prison.

In July, Patrick Chandler attempted to kill Stephen Wilson by attacking him with a large kitchen knife.

Mr Wilson, who was on remand awaiting trial for aggravated burglary, suffered eight stab wounds to his abdomen, chest, back and arm and was left partially paralysed after the attack.

The incident took place in the prison’s kitchen on July 2, just 24 days into Chandler’s life sentence, which he received for murdering John Cromer in Barker Close, Lawford, in December.

Chandler, 45, and Mr Wilson, 30, are understood to have known each other for around ten years outside of prison.

At Chelmsford Crown Court, Peter Clark, prosecuting, told the court Mr Wilson claimed the attack had “come completely out of the blue”.

Richard Conley, mitigating on behalf of Chandler said the incident was a “spontaneous attempt to kill” on behalf of his client and there had been no pre-mediation.

He said: “Mr Chandler pleaded guilty to the offence at the first realistic opportunity so in the course of events should receive credit.

“The court should be aware Mr Wilson, the victim, had been the victim of another stabbing by another prisoner a matter of weeks earlier.

“Whilst it has been suggested it was out of the blue, there may be matters which the court may not be aware of which underlie this.”

He added: “Chandler made it clear after the attack he bore no malice to any other person present, even naming the prison officers and making it clear he did not present any danger to others.

“Afterwards, he was fully compliant with the police officers and the courts and he has not wasted any time or caused any inconvenience to anybody.”

Judge Charles Gratwicke sentenced Chandler to a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years, which will run concurrently with his existing life sentence, which had a minimum term of 20 years.

He said: “As a result of your brutal and vicious attack Mr Wilson suffered serious and life-threatening injuries.

“He has limited movement in his legs and is having to learn to walk again. Additionally he is suffering unsurprisingly from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of your attack.”

Chandler received a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years, murder of John Cromer in Barker Close, Lawford, in June.