PRISON food led to a fight that saw three prison officers headbutted, kicked and punched, a court heard.

Robert Robinson, 25, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault that took place last December.

The court heard Robinson lashed out at prison officers with his head and feet as they tried to escort him back to his cell in HMP Haverigg.

It is believed in the prison a disturbance broke out over the poor quality of food, the court was told.

Robinson threw his plate of food on to the floor, which led him to be escorted away from the dining hall.

As he was being taken away he kicked a box attached the wall, causing it to fly across the room.

When prison officer Samantha Cooper tried to restrain Robinson, he grabbed her and dragged her down to the floor, his arm across her neck.

She suffered bruising to the throat and legs, scratches to her ear and wrenched muscles due to her struggle with Robinson.

Ms Cooper was off work for one month as a result of her injuries.

Prison officers Andrew Wonnacott and Matthew Parry were also injured during the attack.

Mr Wonnacot was punched four or five times in the chest, and headbutted on the left side of his face, causing swelling and bruising.

Mr Parry received a swollen hand and face from being punched and kicked.

Magistrates were told this attack lasted for up to five minutes before Robinson could be restrained.

Miss Karen Templeton, defending said: "Before the assault he was given a joint. He thought it was cannabis but was actually spice.

"This made him paranoid, he thought the staff were trying to kill him."

Miss Templeton added: "Quite clearly Mr Robinson is someone that has had a lot of issues.

"He was in care when he was young, he took drugs and there were issues of self harm."

The court was told Robinson, whose record included 17 convictions from 26 offences, including a conviction for actual bodily harm, wanted to apologise to the officers he assaulted, and he wanted to turn his life around so he could be a good dad for his children.

During sentencing the chairman of the bench Chris Harris welcomed the remorse Robinson showed.

However, he said: "The injuries you caused were sufficient to cause all three officers to have time off work."

Robinson was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison for the assault on officer Cooper, 18 weeks for officer Wonnacott and 12 weeks for officer Parry.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to officers Cooper and Wonnacott, and £100 compensation to officer Parry.