Ashley Charles Batson: UK man faces court from prison over alleged attack at Yongah Hill detention centre

A UK man who swapped a detention centre for a prison cell, after he allegedly injured two officers, has been identified. Ashley Charles Batson, aged 28, was charged with five offences over a string of incidents at Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre in December, including an attack on a Commonwealth official last Saturday. Mr Batson, 28, allegedly punched the guard during the attack at the Northam facility, on December 13, and had to be restrained. A shocking photo of the guard’s injuries obtained by The West Australian showed paramedics preparing to put the officer on a spinal board. He appeared to be bleeding heavily after his jaw was fractured in the alleged assault. Earlier that day, Mr Batson also allegedly pressed a lit cigarette into another officer’s neck. On December 4, he also allegedly pushed a guard in the chest, ripped pipes off the gym area’s wall and damaged a water fountain. Mr Batson, who was represented by a duty lawyer, appeared in court on Friday via video-link from prison. His case was adjourned until January 23 so he could receive legal advice. Mr Batson was not required to enter a plea to the charges. The detainee faces a string of offences including causing harm to and obstructing a Commonwealth public official, and damaging Commonwealth property. The guard allegedly assaulted over the weekend is aged in his 40s and was taken to Northam Hospital before he was transferred to Royal Perth Hospital for further specialist care. The AFP said the man had undergone surgery for a fractured jaw.