Inmates took over a wing of a Kent prison during a riot and held a guard hostage, a court heard.

Ten men face charges at Kingston Crown Court in connection with events at Rochester prison on 18 October 2001.

A warden was handcuffed, blindfolded and beaten about the head with a pool cue, as the prisoners "blitzed" their part of the prison, the jury was told.

The riot only ended when a team of officers in riot gear stormed the wing to rescue the warden.

While the barricades were going up, the rest of the place was trashed, blitzed

Prosecutor James O'Mahony

Ten men are accused of prison mutiny and with violent disorder.

They are James Draper, Luis Sheehan, Ricardo Themistoccleous, Sean Agnew, Cassion Galton, Wayne Jones, Robert Deadman, Wayne Carden, Anthony Johnson and Alan Main.

Mr Draper and Mr Sheehan are also charged with false imprisonment.

James O'Mahony, prosecuting, said: "Early evening on 18 October, prison officers on the wing were uneasy and apprehensive and sensed something was going on.

"Some inmates were forming into groups, including these defendants."

Mr O'Mahony said that the prisoners forced nearly all the officers from the wing and began piling up furniture and pool tables as a barricade.

He added: "While the barricades were going up, the rest of the place was trashed, blitzed."

One prison guard was taken prisoner, threatened and imprisoned in the cell.

The prosecutor said that during the incident inmates were seen breaking windows and throwing the contents of rooms out of them.

The trial continues.