Inmates stomped prisoner, court told

A group of inmates at Ngawha Prison took turns punching, kicking and stomping another prisoner, leaving him with life-threatening injuries, a High Court jury has been told.
Two secret witnesses are to give evidence in the trial of six prisoners accused of beating prisoner Matthew Te Hira, who suffered bleeding on the brain and spent time at Whangarei Hospital's intensive care unit.
A sock filled with batteries was allegedly used in the attack.
The six prisoners on trial - Jonothan Winiata Poutai, 44, Stefan Hoeer, 36, Arthur Duncan Briggs, 24, Les Tasos Connelly, 28, Eru Tewhata, 20, and Lonnie Wihongi, 45 - have denied a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in the Whangarei High Court.
Another prisoner, Karl Hohea Heta, 44, is facing a charge of being an accessory after the fact.
The alleged attack took place inside Te Hira's cell on March 8, 2008.
Heightened court security surrounded the hearing with metal detectors at the front door. The prisoners were flanked by 10 security officers inside court.
In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Mike Smith told the jury that, after a barbecue at the prison, the accused prisoners  entered Te Hira's cell two at a time and punched, kicked and stomped on him as he laid curled up in the foetal position.
After the beating, the prisoners washed, cleaned their clothes, shoes and hands to cover their tracks, Mr Smith said.
Heta provided a mop and a bucket to Te Hira's cellmate to clean up the cell, he said.
Prison officers discovered the injured Te Hira later that afternoon and he was taken to  Whangarei Hospital.
Mr Smith said Poutai, who was the chef during the barbecue retreat, later directed the beating, and had been unhappy about Te Hira's arrival in his cellblock.
A secret witness noticed features such as tattoos, distinctive hairstyles and skin conditions of those involved in the beating, but did not know the prisoners involved, Mr Smith said.
On one occasion, a secret witness said he saw tattoos on one of the six prisoners while he was hosing himself off.
Another secret witness will give evidence of observed meetings between the six prisoners and them obtaining footwear before the incident.
Although no prison officers witnessed the attack, some  would give evidence of procedures they followed inside the prison, Mr Smith said.
Justice John Priestley, defence lawyers and the jurors spent the first half of yesterday  on a site visit at the prison.
The two secret witnesses are expected to give evidence today.