Prisoner in horror attack

A cruel inmate scalded a prison officer by throwing a kettle of hot water at his face during a sustained campaign of violence.

Anthony Elliott, asked for guards to attend his cell in HMP Shotts, but whenthedoorwas opened the vicious 29-year-old launched the contents of the kettle at the man before threatening him with a blade.

The prison officer was rushed toWishaw General Hospital for treatment to partial thickness burns.

Months earlier Elliott hadbeenfoundwitha blade welded to the head of a toothbrush.

He had also spat at a prison nurse after threatening other staff members.

Elliott later took “umbrage”atcomments madeduringameeting with prison workers and spat at another guard.

The problematic prisoner, who is serving a life sentence, was transferred to HMP Glenochil in Clackmannanshire, where he torched his cell on three separate occasions by setting mattresses and bedding alight.

The thug caused almost £800worthofdamageto the cells and to smoke alarm systems due to the intensity of the blazes.

Elliot appeared via video link from HMP Glenochil at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted assaults, threatening and abusive behaviour, possession of weapons and wilful fire-raising between FebruaryandNovember last year.

Hewashanded45 monthsby SheriffMungo Bovey QC but told the term would run alongside his current order for lifelong restriction.

Describing the moment the officer was attacked, depute fiscal Jennifer Cunningham said:“Prison officers attended following a request from the accused on the telephone. [He] opened the door and the accused exited at speed and threw the contents of a kettle at his face.

“Hethenproduceda bladedimplementand pointed it towards the prison officers who drew their batons and the accused backed away.

“The accused then held the implement to his own neck and sank to the floor.

“This was an improvised weaponwithametal blade and he then threw downthebladeandwas escorted away.

“[The officer] was taken to hospital where it was found he had sustained blistering, superficial and partial thickness burns to his face.”

Flanked by two security guards in full riot gear, Elliott told the court:“I believe a custodial sentence is inevitable so it doesn’t make a bit of difference.

“It will have no effect and will be as if it didn’t ever happen.

“I have no mitigation or excuses because I really don’t care to be honest.”

Sheriff Bovey said the sentence would have been 60monthshadhenotpled guilty.

Elliott, who spends his time in jail in segregation away from other convicts, has been behind bars since he was 16.