A prisoner threw boiling water over a fellow inmate’s groin in the shower block at HMP Nottingham, leaving the victim with severe burns and skin hanging off his legs and genitalia
A teenage prisoner hurled boiling water over a fellow inmate’s groin in a shower block at HMP Nottingham. Nottingham Crown Court heard how the victim was left with skin peeling from his genitals and legs following the vicious assault by Ethan Rowley.
The then 19-year-old was on remand at the time, awaiting trial for grave sexual offences which ultimately landed him a 21-year sentence at Derby Crown Court last summer. He will now serve an extra nine months for the apparently unprovoked attack he launched.
Judge Michael Auty KC remarked: “You are currently serving a sentence of 21 years which for someone of your age is exceptional.”, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
“The circumstances surrounding this offence are that whilst serving at HMP Nottingham in the shower block you threw scalding, if not boiling, water over the victim.
“It caused his skin to blister, some of the skin was left hanging off his legs and groin area and caused damage to his genitalia.
“It is not entirely clear what the overall effects were because, as often happens with prisoners, he did not comply with the prison or give a victim personal statement.”
Samantha Warner, prosecuting, revealed the assault occurred on November 8, 2024. She explained the victim had entered the shower area where Rowley was already occupying a cubicle.
The prosecutor stated the defendant emerged, towelled off, got dressed and departed before coming back shortly afterwards.
Miss Warner continued: “The victim was in the shower and saw the defendant was holding a blue mop bucket.
“There had been no interaction between them until this point.
“The defendant then threw the contents of the mop bucket towards the victim which landed mostly on his groin and leg area and rendered him in immediate and excruciating pain.
“Bits of skin were falling off and he began blistering.
“He left but other prisoners brought him back to the shower and drenched him in cold water whilst the defendant was pulled from the netting over the landing.
“The victim was taken to the QMC for treatment where he had suffered burns to his chest, thighs, right arm and blistering to his genitalia.”
Rowley, now aged 20 and housed at HMP Swinfen Hall, from where he appeared via video-link in court, admitted to throwing a corrosive substance with intent to burn, maim, disfigure, disable and cause grievous bodily harm.
Last July he received a 21-year sentence for raping two separate women in Derbyshire and has two additional prior convictions for violent offences.
Defence barrister Gregor Purcell said: “I have no doubt it would have been pretty unpleasant blistering and it is undoubtedly painful and deliberate harm caused by him.
“He is a young man who is already facing an extremely long period inside for someone of his age.”