AN HMP Bullingdon prison guard was left permanently scarred after an inmate poured boiling water over him during a row in his cell.

Daniel Beckford, of Bodley Manor Way, London, was set to stand trial for the single count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm but pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court today.

The 36-year old argued that the boiling water had only spilled on his victim due to ‘recklessness’ after the prison supervisor demanded he go back into his cell.

Prosecutors maintained that Beckford had been enraged at his possessions not being supplied after a change of prison and had lashed out with the boiling water after refusing to return into his cell during the incident on July 17 last year.

Determining the basis for his plea at a day-long Newton hearing yesterday Judge Peter Ross rejected Beckford's claim and said that he had used the filled kettle 'as a weapon' after a row over his belongings.

Judge Ross said: "Beckford armed himself with the kettle as a weapon and made an aggressive move with it to [the guard].

"This was a prison guard going about his duty."

The prison supervisor sustained burns on his left arm and has been left with permanent scarring, the court heard.

In mitigation Gudrun Fama said that her client since his release from prison in January had begun to make positive progress and put his life back together.

Ultimately, Beckford was jailed for three years and must pay a victim surcharge.