A PRISONER attacked and injured security guards in the dock at Salisbury Magistrates Court today.

Homeless Joshua List from Trowbridge was jailed for 12 weeks for taking a vehicle without consent but refused to go down to the cells.

Instead the 20-year-old tried to kick his way out of the dock, breaking a glass window in the door and damaging its frame.

The panic alarm was activated and magistrates left the courtroom as at least five guards struggled to subdue the defendant.

He fought fiercely, shouting and swearing as he kicked, punched and wrestled with the security staff in the dock.

A double-crewed ambulance was called, plus a rapid-response vehicle, and one of the guards was taken to Salisbury District Hospital with chest injuries.

The courtroom was busy with magistrates, legal staff, solicitors, probation, police, press and members of the public when the attack happened at about 12.30pm.

List appeared calm when sentenced to jail, only becoming agitated when chairman of the bench Nicholas Stephens told him he also faced a financial penalty.

He refused to accept that the fine would be added to his outstanding debt to the courts and argued back at the magistrates.

He then spat in the dock and sat down, refusing to be taken to the cells.

Despite efforts to persuade him to co-operate, he flew into a rage and became highly aggressive, swearing at people in the public gallery and attempting to escape.

Finding the door into the courtroom locked, List aimed two heavy kicks at the glass, cracking the pane and dislodging it from its frame.

Just as it seemed he would break through the window, back-up arrived and a violent struggle ensued.

Guards eventually managed to cuff List's hands behind his back and subdue him, leading him down to the cells below.

A police spokesman later said a number of prison officers had been injured.

The courtroom had to be closed for the afternoon as the dock was no longer secure.

All remaining cases were moved upstairs to Court 1, usually reserved for crown court proceedings.

One lawyer said the incident was so loud it had interrupted a hearing in the courtroom next door.