Scalding water attack at prison

Attacker Shaun Grancourt hurled a mop bucket of scalding water over fellow inmate Alan Edwards in his cell, causing superficial burns to his chin, chest, neck, left shoulder and back.

Edwards had to be treated at a specialist burns unit at Wythenshawe near Manchester.

The attack happened on wing E at category B prison HMP Garth, in Ulnes Walton, near Leyland, at around 9.30am on July 20 after Grancourt had shouted: “You’re a grass” and sworn at him, Preston Crown Court was told.

Prosecuting, Mark Stephenson said: “He tried to turn away but the liquid hit his face. “The male started punching his head which caused him to move onto the landing. He describes the pain as excruciating.

“He managed to seek assistance from a prison officer.”

Grancourt admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

His defence lawyer said he had suffered a mini stroke and had mental health issues.

Recorder Laurence McDonald said: “It was a nasty attack aggravated by the fact you were serving a term of imprisonment. You knew he could not easily get away from you.”

The case came a month after HMP Garth was branded “very unsafe”, after inspectors found “violence and drugs” dominated prison life, with a rise in attacks.

There was a leap in violence with 121 fights in six months with stab wounds and burns.

However, they found “progress” had been made in mental health provision and education.