Danny Clive Smith, 34, left his victim with scarring and hearing difficulties after scalding him with boiling water and sugar in a row over a vape at HMP Altcourse
A prisoner who doused his cellmate with “prison napalm” following a dispute over a vape has died behind bars. Danny Clive Smith was described as “irrational and unpredictable” during his time in custody, and while serving time at HMP Altcourse, left his victim in excruciating pain after a savage attack in which he hurled boiling water mixed with sugar over him.
Smith, 34, left his victim with permanent scarring and hearing problems, and admitted to prison staff that he had carried out the assault “because he wouldn’t let him use his vape”.
The attack, in July 2023, resulted in Smith appearing before a judge in July of last year, who urged him to seek mental health support.
At some point, Smith, who had amassed dozens of previous convictions spanning more than 120 offences, was transferred from the category B prison in Fazakerley to HMP Risley, the category C facility in Warrington.
His mental health struggles persisted, with Smith experiencing bouts of depression, low mood and suicidal thoughts, reports the Liverpool Echo. Smith, originally from Shrewsbury, also had a pattern of accumulating debt while at Risley, and his deteriorating mental state led to incidents of self-harm and suicide attempts.
One such attempt resulted in him being placed on an Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT), a dedicated plan designed to support those at risk of suicide and self-harm. However, the plan was closed after reports suggested his mood had lifted and nobody who had contact with him raised any concerns.
A check carried out shortly before 9pm on November 26, 2025 found nothing untoward. Tragically, the morning check at 5.27am on November 27 resulted in the discovery of Smith’s body. Despite efforts to revive him, a paramedic confirmed his death at 8.05am.
An inquest was opened in December 2025, before being heard by Area Coroner Victoria Davies between October 12 and 15. The medical cause of death was recorded as asphyxiation by ligature. The inquest concluded that Smith “died as a result of a deliberately self applied ligature”.
However, a record of inquest seen by the ECHO determined “his intention at the time of applying the ligature…cannot be ascertained due to the unpredictable nature of Danny’s behaviour”. Following Smith’s death, an investigation was launched by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), the body responsible for examining all fatal incidents in custody.
A spokesperson said: “The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is conducting an independent investigation into the death of Danny Smith at HMP Risley on November 27, 2025. We offer our condolences to Mr Smith’s family and friends.”
The ECHO understands the PPO investigation is ongoing, with a report detailing its findings — including whether anything could have been done to prevent Smith’s death — due to be published in due course.
A Prison Service spokesperson stated: “HMP Risley prisoner Danny Smith died on Thursday, November 27. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”
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