A violent inmate who attacked Perth Prison guards with hot soup has been jailed.
The two officers were lucky to escape unhurt after the assault by Kinross-shire car thief Jamie Miller, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
The 32-year-old lost the plot after being told he could not add more contact numbers to his state-issued mobile phone.
Miller appeared in the dock this week and admitted the February 6 double assault.
Last year, he was jailed for smashing up a car while his terrified partner and her friend cowered inside.
Protected by facemasks
Fiscal depute Andrew Harding told the court: “At the time prison officers were making their rounds, delivering food to inmates in their cells.
“When they reached the accused, he asked if he could go to the reception area to get new numbers added to his mobile phone.
“He was told that this wasn’t possible because of staffing levels.”
Mr Harding said: “The accused slammed the cell door closed and threw the bowl of hot soup through the hatch.
“The liquid landed on the head, shoulders and chest of prison officer Fairlie.
“And it hit the chest and arms of officer McNair.
“Fortunately, both officers were wearing facemasks and the hot liquid did not cause them any injury.”
Frustration no excuse
Solicitor Pauline Cullerton, defending, said: “Mr Miller had only been in prison for about a week.
“He had been asking staff about having numbers added to his phone so that he could keep in touch with his family.
“When he was told that wasn’t possible, it frustrated him.
“He threw the soup at the closed cell door but he accepts that it also hit the officers.
“He has since apologised to them.”
Ms Cullerton said: “He was punished by the prison and spent two months in segregation.
“And he appreciates that custody is an option for the court today.”
Sheriff Francis Gill told Miller: “Being frustrated is absolutely no excuse for your behaviour.
“It is only fortunate that the officers did not receive serious injuries.
“I am satisfied that custody is appropriate in this case.”
Miller was jailed for three months.
He gave a thumbs up to the public gallery as he was led out of the dock.
He appeared from custody in February and admitted stealing his stepfather’s Audi and taking it for a joyride while disqualified.
