Three inmates at Rochester Prison in Kent have been found guilty of charges relating to a riot at the jail last year.

Five others had previously pleaded guilty to various charges, but six men were cleared of involvement and a decision is still pending on a seventh.

The riot took place on 18 October 2001 when prisoners took control of a wing and held a warden hostage.

Officers in riot gear stormed the building and re-took control after several hours of what the court heard was "mob rule" by the prisoners.

False imprisonment

Inmates had barricaded themselves into their wing, handcuffed and blindfolded a warden and beat him with a pool cue.

On Tuesday, after a three-month hearing, a jury at Kingston Crown Court found James Draper, 22, and Wayne Carden, 20, guilty of prison mutiny.

Draper and another inmate, Luis Sheehan, 21, were found guilty of false imprisonment.

They are due to be sentenced early next year along with the five men who entered guilty pleas.

One other defendant faces a charge of violent disorder after the jury failed to reach a majority decision.

'Shocking violence'

The convictions were welcomed by police and prison officers.

Detective Inspector Jackie Luckhurst, of Kent Police, said: "This was a shocking display of violence.

"It endangered the lives of the prison officers and those prisoners not involved in the disturbance."

A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "The court has recognised that acts of indiscipline such as those seen at Rochester are unacceptable.

"This will send a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated."