Canberra man told to 'make different friends' during sentencing for prison riot and multiple assaults

A 28-year-old man has been encouraged to "make different friends" during his sentencing in the ACT Supreme Court for the assault of a man with an intellectual disability and a police officer, as well as his involvement in a prison riot.

Jett Black was among a group of detainees who in late 2020 started fires in the north wing remand unit of Canberra's only prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

The riot, which caused $1.6 million dollars in damages, was sparked by a lack of cigarettes, no dessert and COVID restrictions at the centre.

Offender played key part in riot planning

Black was charged with arson and property damage over his involvement in the incident, and pleaded guilty to both charges in July last year.

During the riot he barricaded doors, obscured security cameras and orchestrated objects to be lit by another detainee.

In her sentencing remarks late last month, Justice Louise Taylor said she accepted Black shouldn't be seen "as a leader", but that he played a key part in planning the incident.

Two other men also pleaded guilty to their role in the riot, and have been sentenced.

A third man, Jake Fielding, was found not guilty by a jury last week after he'd been accused of arson and property damage by joint commission.

Black was also sentenced for assaulting a man with an intellectual disability in Gungahlin in 2023, and clawing at a police officer's face during his arrest afterwards.

He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting a frontline community service provider in April last year.

'Do you want to get stabbed or something?'

The court heard Black was with two other men, who were seen jumping on cars and pulling street signs from the ground near the victim's house around 11.30pm on August 25.

The victim, who has an intellectual disability that affects his speech, heard the commotion and confronted the men, telling them to "cut it out, there's no need for it".

He was then threatened verbally by Black, who said: "Do you want to get stabbed or something?"

The victim went to return to his house and was set upon by Black and the other men, who struck him multiple times and continued to kick him after he fell to the ground.

The man suffered a broken nose as well as cuts and bruises to his body.

The group of men fled the scene but were later found by police.

During his arrest, Black clawed at one of the officer's faces, scratching his right eye and under his left eye, causing bleeding and blurred vision.

Justice Taylor described the attack as "random, unprovoked and brutal" and said it must have been "terrifying" for the victim.

"It was cowardly conduct."

Full-time custody would 'extinguish desire to reform'

For all four charges, Black was sentenced to three years and 11 months behind bars, which will be suspended on account of the 187 days he has already spent in prison.

He walked free from court and is required to adhere to good behaviour obligations until late 2028.

In determining Black's sentence, Justice Taylor took into account his "disadvantaged and traumatic background", referring to his lack of stable housing from the age of 10, use of alcohol and illicit drugs from childhood, and ongoing engagement with the criminal justice system.

She said he had shown promising signs of rehabilitation since he was released on bail in early 2024, with employment, a stable home environment and abstinence from drugs.

"It would entirely extinguish his desire to reform."

At the conclusion of her sentencing remarks, she spoke directly to Black.

"You have a significant period of imprisonment hanging over your head," Justice Taylor said.

"If you don't keep going with the progress you've made and you start using, you will spiral and I will see you back here.

"You need to make different friends, Mr Black."

"100 per cent. I know, Your Honour," he replied.