HMYOI Polmont inmate sprayed staff with 'unknown liquid'

A HMYOI Polmont inmate has had more time added to his sentence after he sprayed two staff members in the face with an unknown substance.
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Ricky McGregor (20) pled guilty to assaulting and injuring two officers at the young offenders institution on September 19, 2018.

He was ordered to spend a further eight months behind bars on top of a sentence he is currently serving when he appeared from custody at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday.

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Procurator fiscal depute Rachel Wallace said: “At about 12.40am, the emergency call button was activated and the witness thereafter attended.

HMYOI Polmont inmate Ricky McGregor will serve more time behind bars. Picture: Michael Gillen.HMYOI Polmont inmate Ricky McGregor will serve more time behind bars. Picture: Michael Gillen.
HMYOI Polmont inmate Ricky McGregor will serve more time behind bars. Picture: Michael Gillen.
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“On opening the observation hatch, he noticed it was obstructed and couldn’t see the accused within the cell.

“He attempted to look through the gap between the door and the wall. On doing so, the accused has sprayed an unknown liquid from within.

“It caused a burning sensation and irritation to his face and eyes, however, the witness received no injury.

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“The second officer suffered pain to their eyes but both officers made a full recovery.”

A search was then carried out directly outside the window of McGregor’s cell where a spray bottle was discovered.

The fiscal depute said the bottle was labelled and appeared to be full of floor cleaner from within the facility.

McGregor’s defence solicitor said: “It’s a prank that went too far.

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“It was used as an improvised air freshener with water and Lynx.

“He is sorry for what happened. He was given a summary punishment within the prison setting.”

The court heard McGregor is the subject of a High Court sentence, the earliest release date for which is August 2026.

His defence solicitor told Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney that McGregor had had six months added to his original jail term last September after he assaulted a fellow inmate.

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As he sentenced McGregor to the additional eight months in HMYOI Polmont, Sheriff O’Mahoney said: “I have no alternative but a custodial imposal.”

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