Teenager sentenced after scalding prison officer at Wetherby YOI with boiling water
The officer was left with life-changing injuries
Last updated 29th Jul 2026
A teenager who left a prison officer with life-changing injuries after throwing boiling water at him has been handed an 18-month detention and training sentence.
The 17-year-old detainee at Wetherby Young Offender Institution threw a kettle of boiling sugared water at the long-serving prison officer who had brought his breakfast on June 14.
Prison officer Martin Fowler was forced to take three months off work as the blistering burns to his midriff, forearm, neck and nipple healed. They have left scars.
The teenager, who previously pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, appeared by videolink from the West Yorkshire detention facility for sentencing at Leeds Magistrates’ Court, sitting as Leeds Youth Court.
Judge Daniel Curtis, who said the sentence started from Wednesday, added: “There is little doubt that this is an extremely unpleasant offence which caused a time-served prison officer life-changing injuries – injuries that will last him no doubt for some considerable time (and) inflicted upon him with preparation and thought.”
The officer was targeted in the unexpected attack despite having helped the youngster when he first came into detention.
Sugar had been added to the water to make the injuries potentially worse, the court heard.
The judge told the youth: “This is a prison officer who, on your own admissions and in your apology letter, you say helped you when you came into prison.
“This was a prison officer of 17 years. This will not be the first time he has been assaulted and sadly it probably will not be the last before he retires from that line of work.
“Prison officers put themselves in the front line, just like police officers and other emergency workers.
“They come to work. They put on a shirt and a tie.
“They do not have personal protective equipment, unless they are dealing with a particularly violent incident, and there was absolutely no reason for this officer to suspect what was about to come his way on June 14 when he knocked on your door to give you your breakfast pack.”
Two female officers who were standing either side of Mr Fowler felt a “stinging sensation” as the water also hit them on the arms but left no injury, the prosecution said.
In a statement heard by the court, Mr Fowler said: “If it had gone in my face and eyes, things could have been different. I was just glad it didn’t happen to me and it didn’t happen to a female officer.”
The officer said parts of his skin have changed colour and while it does not cause him physical pain or discomfort it is a “lasting reminder of what happened to me”.
The viewing window of the cell door was covered with paper when the prison officers approached.
Mr Fowler removed the paper and spoke to the detainee who was not holding anything and was not deemed to be a threat.
Prosecutor Charles Macrae said: “Officer Fowler then unlocked and opened the cell door and as soon as the door was opened (the detainee) was seen by Prison Officer Fowler and the other prison officers to reach to his right and pick up a prison-issued kettle.
“He then threw water from the kettle over the officers.
“The vast majority of the water has landed on the upper body of Prison Officer Fowler who has immediately felt a scalding sensation and removed his top to try and alleviate that pain.”
Mr Fowler slammed the door shut.
Thirteen empty packets of sugar were found in a bin bag when the teenager’s room was searched.
He has written a letter to the officer, saying he is “truly sorry” and adding: “I like you, because you helped me when I first came into prison.
“I apologise for doing what I did. I did not mean to cause you harm.
“The previous day I got group assaulted and I was still in the heightened and emotional state. I couldn’t go to sleep that night because my head was hurting from the beating. I was not thinking clearly.
“I look back at my actions with regret.
“I hope you can forgive me for this mistake and hope to make it up in future.”
The prosecution said the teenager is serving a 35-month sentence with an extension and there had been a rehabilitation order that was not complied with.
No further details were given about the offences.