Inmate’s sentence increases after jail attack

A Perth prisoner jailed for a traumatic knifepoint hold-up in Dundee has had his sentence extended following a brutal assault on a fellow inmate.

Shaun Dunn poured a tub filled with boiling water and sugar over “prison bully” Rickie Tait, leaving him with severe burns.

Perth Sheriff Court heard it had been a preemptive strike by the 36-year-old who believed Tait was already plotting an attack on him.

Sheriff Pino di Emidio told Dunn: “Your criminal social work report suggests there was a significant degree of premeditation here, and one might also say there has been a lack of a remorse.”

Dunn, serving a seven-year sentence, was jailed for a further 33 months.

He was sent to HMP Perth in February 2019 after assaulting a student at an ATM on Brook Street, Dundee.

Dunn had pounced on his victim and thrust a knife to his throat as he withdrew £10 from the cashpoint.

Perth Sheriff Court heard that, just a few weeks into his sentence, Dunn walked into cell 28, where Tait was sitting with another prisoner.

Tait was described as a “prison bully” other inmates avoided.

Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney said Dunn was holding a protein container filled with a clear liquid.

“Officers heard a loud crashing noise, a commotion,” he said.

“They entered and observed Mr Tait’s injuries, which appeared to be significant burns on his head, face and arm.

“They were consistent with having had boiling water poured over him.”

Tait had to undergo emergency plastic surgery afterwards at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.