Convicted murderer Marcus Rappel will spend even more time in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting a prison officer while serving time for the murder of his former partner Tara Costigan.
Rappel, 45, was sentenced to 32 years in prison for killing Ms Costigan with an axe, after breaking down her door and chasing her as she fled with their week old baby in 2015.
The murder prompted a renewed effort to combat domestic violence in the ACT.
Rappel was later sentenced to another six years, after a prison attack in 2017 left two brothers so badly injured they were hospitalised.
Rappel and several others were originally put on trial, but that was abandoned shortly afterwards when Rappel pleaded guilty, taking responsibility for the crime.
Now he has been sentenced by the ACT Magistrates Court to even more jail time, after pleading guilty to an assault on a prison officer in 2018.
The court heard at the time of the assault Rappel was being treated by a nurse for an injury after an altercation with another prisoner.
The court noted he had become impatient with the treatment and gone to make himself a cup of coffee.
Rappel lashed out at the guard who suggested he should finish being bandaged first.
In his ruling Magistrate James Stewart noted Rappel punched the man and continued swinging at him.
"The assault was unprovoked and followed up with unsuccessful strikes," Magistrate Stewart said.
"The assault involved an actual application of force that caused pain to a vulnerable area of the body."
The court also heard that since the incident Rappel had been moved to the Goulburn Correctional Centre, although that did not appear to be for disciplinary reasons.
Magistrate Stewart acknowledged Rappel's family support and said there was a glimmer of hope for his rehabilitation, but also noted the move to Goulburn had made it difficult for his family to visit.
"Regardless, there is authority to the effect that the defendant has put himself and his family in this situation by his own offending and reoffending," he said.
Rappel has been sentenced to an extra six months' jail, which has been added to the full sentence which runs until 2053.
Magistrate Stewart noted Rappel would be eligible for parole from 2044.
"Every day of the defendant's life will be precious at the age of 69 and that is when this sentence will take effect," he said.
