Violent prisoner who slashed fellow inmate while victim's son looked on jailed for four years

A violent prisoner who slashed a fellow inmate whilst his victim’s son looked on has been jailed for four years.

Kevin Kelly, 28, was being held on remand at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian, when he launched the assault on Douglas Mills on September 5, 2024.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Mills was also remanded in prison along with his son Douglas Mills Jr when the attack occurred.

Mills Snr was sitting at a table outside his cell in the company of his son when Kelly approached and struck him on the face with a knife or similar weapon.

After the attack Kelly walked away while the victim’s son pursued him with a broom, shouting: “He has just slashed my dad.”

Paramedics attended at the jail, and the victim was taken to St John’s Hospital in Livingston, where he underwent surgical treatment after he sustained a wound of approximately six inches to his jaw.

Advocate depute Scott McKenzie said the victim said to police that he did not see or know who was responsible for the attack on him.

Kelly admitted assaulting Mills to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life by striking him on the head with a knife or similar instrument, when he appeared in court earlier this year. Sentence had been deferred until Friday for the court to obtain a background report on Kelly, who is originally from Stirling.

On Friday, judge Lady Ross told Kelly that the sentence given to him for the attack on Mills would commence a the end of the nine year term he had earlier received for a an earlier attempted murder charge.

She also told him he’d be supervised for one year following his eventual release from custody.

Lady Ross added: “I do consider that an extended sentence in your circumstances is appropriate.”

On the earlier occasion, Mr McKenzie told the court: “He has a schedule of previous convictions containing numerous convictions for violence.”

Kelly’s criminal record included offences of assault to injury, assault to severe injury and wilful fire raising. He received a nine year jail term for attempted murder.

On Friday, defence advocate Thomas Ross KC told the court that at the time of the assault on Mills, his client had been abusing legal highs.

He added: “He has little or no recollection of the offence.”

Mr Ross said that Kelly had suffered “adverse childhood experiences” and had spent parts of his youth in care.

Passing sentence, Lady Ross made reference to comments that Kelly made to the social worker appointed by the court to investigate his background.

She added: “The kind of assault you subjected the complainer too was obviously dangerous. You put his life in danger and he will be left scarred permanently.”