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Inmate threw hot water over guard and beat him with kettle at Swaleside prison on Isle of Sheppey

05:00, 17 May 2022

updated: 15:48, 17 May 2022

An inmate at Swaleside jail threw hot water over a guard before beating him with a kettle because he was upset at prison conditions.

Angry Lewis Brown attacked Grant Warren as he took food into his cell and now the officer has left the prison service 'partially' as a result of the attack.

Angry Lewis Brown attacked Grant Warren with a kettle as he took food into his cell. Stock picture
Angry Lewis Brown attacked Grant Warren with a kettle as he took food into his cell. Stock picture

Brown had been telling his daughter on a phone in his cell that he was "going to do something" because he was upset with conditions.

As officer Warren arrived with Brown's meal, the 41-year-old launched the ferocious attack - and left the phone line open so his daughter could hear it, a jury heard.

Then Brown chased after his victim and whipped him several times with a kettle until it smashed into pieces.

The incident was caught on cameras at the Isle of Sheppey jail and shown to the jury who found Brown guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He had denied the charge.

But after delivering its verdict he began berating them from the dock, saying "I am innocent, innocent, very,very innocent," repeating it as he was led away to the cells.

Officer Warren was delivering food to each cell on a wing at HMP Swaleside. Picture: Chris Davey
Officer Warren was delivering food to each cell on a wing at HMP Swaleside. Picture: Chris Davey

Prosecutor Don Ramble had told Maidstone Crown Court how the incident took place at Swaleside at 3.40pm on July 29, 2020 as officer Warren was delivering food to each cell.

"Officer Warren opened the door to Brown’s cell and saw the inmate holding a kettle near a sink.

"He believed that Brown was just making himself a hot drink so handed him his evening meal bag."

The prosecutor said it was then Brown threw hot water from a kettle at the officer.

"Officer Warren screamed and ran out of the cell, trying to get to safety. However, the entrance gate in the hallway was locked meaning that he was unable to escape and the officer was trapped."

Brown then chased him and began hitting him with the kettle, on his arm and back with such force it broke into pieces.

The officer became trapped by a locked gate during the attack at Swaleside Prison. Picture: Chris Davey
The officer became trapped by a locked gate during the attack at Swaleside Prison. Picture: Chris Davey

The inmate then used the cable from the kettle to whip Officer Warren, with the plug end hitting him numerous times on the arm, hand and back - as he tried to defend himself, the jury heard.

Officer Warren was taken to the emergency department of the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and treated for injuries to his arm, hand and face.

He later left the prison service "partially" because of the incident, but was said to have made "a remarkable" recovery from his injuries.

Now sentence on Brown, who is serving a sentence for robbery, has been adjourned until July 6 pending psychiatric and probation reports.

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