A Risdon Prison inmate will spend an extra 18 months behind bars after a case of mistaken identity led him to bash a fellow prisoner and fracture his skull.
Bradley Mark Riley, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of assault over the attack on September 11, 2025.
Justice Brett sentenced Riley on March 27, adding 18 months to his existing term. He must serve 12 months before becoming eligible for parole.
The court heard Riley overheard another inmate talking about a woman he had assaulted.
The victim shared a first name with Riley’s cousin and Riley wrongly believed his relative was the one being discussed.
Riley called the man to his cell, then struck him to the head with a forceful blow.
The inmate fell, lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital.
Doctors found skull fractures and bleeding on the brain.
He spent five days in a neurosurgery high-dependency unit and has no memory of the attack.
Justice Brett said the motive made the crime worse.
“Whether your grievances were justified or not, your motive was retribution and that aggravates the seriousness of the crime,” he said.
The judge noted Riley had a lengthy record and what he described as a “particular propensity to assault people by hitting him in the head”.
Riley was already in custody and on a suspended sentence at the time of the attack.
