**Prison Inmate Jailed After Pouring Boiling Water Over Cellmate in Vape Dispute**
A violent altercation inside HMP Altcourse has left one prisoner scarred, after Danny Smith, aged 34, was convicted of dousing his cellmate with a kettle of boiling water during a disagreement over a vape. Liverpool Crown Court heard that the attack, which took place in the early hours of July 27th, 2023, resulted in painful scalds and a perforated eardrum for the victim, identified as Paul Guest.
Smith, whose last known address places him in North Wales, had a long-standing history with the criminal justice system, holding 123 offences over 65 previous convictions, including robbery. Despite warnings regarding Smith’s suitability for sharing a cell, prison officials assigned him to Guest’s cell. This decision would ultimately lead to a troubling and violent episode behind bars.
The clash reportedly arose after Guest refused to allow Smith to use his vape. In response, Smith waited until his cellmate was asleep on the bottom bunk before launching a sudden attack with a freshly boiled kettle of water. Guest awoke “in intense pain”, according to prosecuting counsel Sarah Gruffydd, as the boiling liquid scalded his left arm and neck.
In the moments following the assault, prison staff responded to Smith pressing the emergency alarm. The court heard he was yelling, “He’s going to kill me,” as the altercation escalated into a physical struggle between the two men. It was only when prison officers intervened that the confrontation ceased.
Investigations found a kettle, still warm and partially spilled on its side, with traces of sugar visible on a table in the cell. Medical reports confirmed Guest suffered burns leading to light scarring, and complications resulting in a perforated eardrum. He subsequently required treatment at Whiston Hospital.
Under questioning, Smith admitted to causing harm, explaining to guards that his actions were motivated by being denied access to Guest’s vape. The incident highlights ongoing concerns over prisoner compatibility and risks associated with double occupancy in cells, particularly when inmates have extensive histories of violent behaviour.
Defence counsel Andrew McInnes acknowledged Smith had been effectively detained since the incident and pointed to Smith’s ongoing struggles with mental health. There was also an admission that Smith’s record indicated he should not have been placed in a shared cell, with concerns dating as far back as 2017.
The court heard that Smith is facing significant challenges upon release, with no fixed accommodation and limited family support aside from sporadic contact with his mother. Expressing a desire to reform, Smith stated he hopes to arrange necessary medical prescriptions and avoid future trouble, yet prospects for stability appear slim.
Sentencing Smith to 16 months in prison, Judge David Swinnerton reflected on his extensive criminal background and the aggravating factor that the crime occurred while Smith was already incarcerated. Citing evidence of a psychotic episode at the time, Judge Swinnerton urged Smith to pursue a more stable life upon release: “If you want to stay out of prison and stop wasting your life going in and out, you’ll need to secure stable housing and medical support,” he said.
The incident raises broader issues about mental health care and risk assessment in prisons, prompting questions about whether more robust measures are needed to protect vulnerable inmates and prevent violent flare-ups over minor disputes. As Smith prepares to re-enter society, his situation serves as a stark reminder of the revolving door of prison life and the difficulties faced by those seeking rehabilitation within the criminal justice system.