Footballer turned prison officer 'reckless' in alleged jail fracas
An ex-footballer who became a prison officer behaved 'recklessly and dangerously' when he hit an inmate with his baton, an employment tribunal heard.
Ex-Preston North End and Hednesford Town star Vernon 'Big Vern' Allatt was fired from Featherstone Prison after an incident last year.
The 56-year-old was sacked amid claims he used inappropriate force to restrain an inmate and later falsified his account of what happened on June 8. Mr Allatt claims he was unfairly dismissed.
But appeal officer Luke Serjeant told an employment tribunal in Birmingham he was rightfully fired. He said: "I did find that the use of the baton was actually reckless and dangerous."
The employment tribunal previously heard how trouble broke out after the prisoner was spotted using a telephone in the corridor but refused to end the call.
CCTV footage allegedly shows the prisoner talking on the phone, leaning on a broom, but then lashing out.
It is said Mr Allatt swung his baton at the prisoner and that he also struck him twice in the face.
Under cross examination, former Brinsford governor Russell Trent, who came to the decision that Mr Allatt had 'lost his cool'. Mr Trent said Mr Allatt had taken far too long to fill out the necessary paperwork and when he did there were discrepancies with the CCTV footage.
Mr Allatt, of Rugeley, was dismissed by the Prison Service in January. The prisoner was convicted of assault after the incident.
The tribunal continues.
