Prison Guard Attacked with Boiling Substance
An inmate who threw boiling hot sugared water over a prison officer in what was described as “a traumatising incident” has been handed an additional 17-year prison sentence. Tony McDonald, already serving time at HMP Peterborough for various offenses including grievous bodily harm, committed the attack on a female officer on July 31, 2023. The guard, in the aftermath of the assault, was left in excruciating pain and sustained permanent damage, as outlined by Judge Mark Bishop at the Huntingdon Law Courts. Despite denying one count of grievous bodily harm with intent and another of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, McDonald was ultimately found guilty.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that McDonald had been waiting with a bin full of scalding water when the officer responded to a distress call from a colleague. Without hesitation, he hurled the entire contents of the bin at the woman, resulting in serious injuries to her and another guard, as detailed by Cambridgeshire Police. Colleagues acted swiftly, rushing the victim to a cold shower while McDonald proceeded to assault another prison officer, causing the second guard to suffer a broken wrist.
Judge Bishop cited McDonald’s claim of following instructions from voices, a defense that psychiatrists dismissed as false. The judge emphasized the significant impact of the incident on the officer’s daily life, noting that the scarring and injuries have led to enduring challenges. It was stated that the victim may require further surgical intervention and harbors doubts about being able to continue her career until retirement. The injured officer underwent specialized treatment at a burns hospital and underwent multiple skin graft procedures, while a male guard also suffered burns to his neck, leg, and arm.
Detective Constable John Pentney remarked, “This incident was, and continues to be, deeply distressing for the victim.” He emphasized that while the sentencing cannot reverse the permanent harm inflicted, it serves as a reflection of the severity of this unprovoked attack. For updates on Peterborough news, you can follow on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and other related internet links such as the HM Courts & Tribunals Service and Cambridgeshire Police.
