A PROLIFIC offender from Bolton has been told he will be locked up if he threatens prison or police officers again.

Samuel Walker has previously been convicted of plotting to damage prison staff cars at Strangeways Prison.

The 37-year-old, of Elm Road, Little Lever, told jail staff he could "send kids round" to their homes. That night four men got into the prison car park and caused damage totalling £6,000 to staff vehicles.

Walker had earlier tried to smuggle a phone into the Manchester establishment and another mobile was later found sewn into a dressing gown, Durham Crown Court heard.

Later after he was transferred to Durham Prison he told prison officers people "on the outside" wanted to burn down their homes" and also threw a metal flask at a guard.

He also threatened arson against another prison officer's home and made a gunshot gesture towards a female staff member, the court was told.

Walker was eventually convicted of bringing a banned article into prison, conspiring to damage prison officers' property, possession of a prohibited item in prison, threatening to damage or destroy prison officers' property, threats to kill and assault and jailed for 18 months.

He was also issued with a 10-year criminal behaviour order which was sought by Merseyside Police, where he has also offended in the past.

Under the terms of the order Walker must not harass any prison officer, police officer, community support officer or member of police or prison staff until 2030.

The same applies towards any violence, or threats of violence, towards the same, or threatening to damage any of their property.

Walker is also prohibited, under the terms of a restraining order for the same length of time, from approaching any Durham Prison officers or staff involved in his past offences.

Later Insp Maria Hoogendyk, an integrated offender management team head, said: “Criminal behaviour orders continue to be an extremely effective tool in tackling persistent offenders who have a negative impact on our communities, be it through anti-social behaviour, threats or other issues.

“Walker is a persistent offender in the Merseyside area and surrounding counties and behaves in a manner that causes harassment, alarm, distress and intimidation, both in person and online, and has committed a number of additional offences whilst in custody, including threats and violence.

"Alongside this, he seeks to develop.... a significant on-line social media profile, using this as a platform to ridicule the authorities and other members of the public. It is likely he will continue to try and seek to undermine criminal justice agencies and members of the public."