Inmate Attacks Prison Officers, Throws Boiling Water at One
An inmate, Charlie Yeo, 27, unleashed a series of violent attacks on prison officers in Welsh prisons, culminating in the alarming act of throwing a kettle of boiling water at one officer. The targeted officer suffered burns to his face and an abrasion to his eye, highlighting the dangerous and volatile behaviour exhibited by the inmate.
Yeo, who was serving a seven-year sentence for wounding with intent, found himself facing additional charges in 2019 for possession of an unauthorised weapon within prison walls. His violent streak continued when he was transferred to HMP Parc in Bridgend following an incident at HMP Dartmoor, where he used a vape to stab one officer and physically assaulted another with a forceful punch.
During a sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court, details emerged of Yeo’s disruptive behaviour at HMP Parc on October 20, 2022. He assaulted a prison officer by slapping him in the face and biting his ear, resulting in a significant wound. Subsequent incidents on September 8, 2023, involved Yeo throwing multiple punches at another prison officer, leading to a laceration.
Despite being relocated to HMP Cardiff, Yeo’s violent tendencies resurfaced on November 30, 2023, during a confrontation with a prison officer over vapes. In a distressing turn of events, Yeo reacted by throwing a kettle containing boiling water at the officer, causing severe burns to the face and an abrasion to the eye. However, it was acknowledged that Yeo did not boil the kettle with the direct intention of harming the officer.
Further investigations on April 3 of the same year revealed Yeo’s possession of an improvised weapon with a sharp point and makeshift handle within his cell at HMP Cardiff. Subsequently, Yeo pleaded guilty to a range of charges, including unlawful wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault of an emergency worker, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and possession of a knife or offensive weapon while incarcerated.
In a bid for leniency during the trial, Yeo’s defence barrister, Sol Hartley, highlighted the troubled upbringing and traumatic childhood experiences faced by his client. Yeo had been in the care system since the age of nine following his father’s passing, enduring numerous placements throughout his formative years.
However, Judge Daniel Williams underscored the severity of Yeo’s repeated acts of violence within the prison environment, citing his extensive history of violence as evidenced by his criminal record. The judge imposed a five-year prison sentence on Yeo, coupled with an extended three-year licence period, in a resolute response to the inmate’s dangerous behaviours.
The case of Charlie Yeo serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by individuals with a propensity for violence within the prison system. Despite mitigating circumstances, the court upheld the need for accountability and appropriate consequences for such actions, aiming to maintain the safety and security of prison staff and inmates alike.