Danny Smith was jailed after pouring boiling water on a cellmate during a savage row over a vape in prison

A violent prison inmate launched a brutal attack on his sleeping cellmate, pouring a kettle of boiling water over him in a rage over a vape dispute. Danny Smith, 34, left his victim writhing in agony on the bottom bunk during the terrifying night-time assault at HMP Altcourse.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Smith and fellow inmate Paul Guest had been sharing a cell at the Merseyside prison when tensions flared over access to a vape. Smith, originally from North Wales and of no fixed address, snapped after Guest refused to let him use it.

In the early hours of 27 July 2023, Guest woke in intense pain to find scalding water poured over his neck and left arm. He saw Smith standing near the cell door, pressing the emergency alarm and shouting, “He’s going to kill me!” A scuffle followed, during which Guest realised he had been “swilled” with boiling water from a kettle later found on its side, coated with sugar traces—a common tactic used in prison to intensify burns.

Prosecutor Sarah Gruffydd told the court that Guest suffered scalding injuries and was left with light scarring on his upper arm. More seriously, he developed hearing problems due to a perforated eardrum. He was treated at Whiston Hospital and discharged.

Smith, already a prolific offender with 65 convictions for 123 offences—including robbery—confessed the attack to prison staff. He admitted he threw the boiling water “because he wouldn’t let him use his vape.”

The attack reignited concerns about prison cell-sharing practices. Smith had a known history of behavioural issues and warnings on his record dating back to 2017, advising against placing him in shared cells. Nonetheless, he was housed with Guest despite his volatile history.

Judge David Swinnerton expressed concern about Smith’s mental health and the decision to house him with another inmate. “There was some sort of argument about a vape,” he said. “You are somebody who finds it difficult to share a cell. It has been recognised that you should not have been sharing a cell.”

Defence barrister Andrew McInnes said Smith was “very unwell” at the time of the incident and began receiving medication shortly after. He has spent most of the period since in custody, often re-offending and returning to prison.

“He will go back to Bangor and be sofa surfing,” McInnes said of Smith’s post-release plans. “He hopes to get another prescription. He says he is motivated to stay out of trouble and take his medication, but there is very little in place to help him.”

Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, Smith wore a grey T-shirt and navy jumper draped around his shoulders. He showed little emotion as he was jailed for 16 months after admitting one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Judge Swinnerton also urged Smith to seek support for his mental health “for his own sake,” warning that without treatment and structure, Smith would likely return to criminal behaviour.

The attack at HMP Altcourse adds to a growing list of violent incidents in UK prisons, where tensions over limited privileges like vapes can escalate with tragic results. Inmates and prison reform groups continue to call for improved screening of cellmate compatibility and better mental health support to reduce violence behind bars.