Scottish Prison ServiceA prisoner who soaked an inmate with boiling water amid a row in a class on the Russian and Ukrainian war has been jailed for 21 months.
Kyle Bowes, 32, splashed Ergys Tota at HMP Low Moss in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, on March 28, 2022.
Bowes attacked after he stuck up for a teacher at the prison who he claimed Tota was being rude to.
Bowes pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting Tota to his severe injury.
The court heard that the pair were in the communal area on the day of the incident.
“Bowes filled up a cup of boiling water from the boiling water tap in the sink area,” prosecutor Victoria Keel said.
“He walked towards Tota and threw the cup of boiling water at him, striking his face and causing him to jump from his seat.”
Bowes was immediately restrained by prison officers, as was Tota, and both were taken to their respective cells.
Tota was then transferred to hospital for treatment where he was found to have suffered a partial thickness burn – a second-degree burn – to his left forehead and small blisters.
The blisters – some of which have burst – needed to be deroofed, dressed and cleaned.
David McLaughlin, defending, told the court: “They were in a class about the Russia and Ukraine war.
“The victim is Albanian and he was being disrespectful to the teacher who my client stuck up for.
“On the day in question, he saw the victim and there was a rush of blood to his head then he acted as narrated.
“He has not seen this man since and wishes him well and wishes to apologise to him.”
Sheriff Louise Arrol KC stated to Bowes, who appeared from custody, that his actions were “quite disturbing”.
The sheriff added: “Any issues should not be dealt with by vigilante behaviour.
“This, in my mind, was utterly disgraceful violence while in custody and custody is the only option available to me.”
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