Prisoner handed life sentence for attempted murder of fellow Isle of Wight inmate

A prisoner who tried to kill a fellow inmate on the Isle of Wight has been handed a life sentence.

Jack McRae, 32, threw a jug of boiling water over his victim before slashing his throat with a makeshift knife at HMP Albany on 14 October 2022.

Following the incident, McRae made admissions that he had wanted to kill the man, and he was subsequently charged with attempted murder.

Despite this, when the case got to court he initially pleaded not guilty, before changing his plea to guilty on 18 April this year.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 22 November McRae, formerly of Golden Grove in Southampton, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years in prison.

DC Justin Pringle said: “This was an incredibly vicious attack which left another prisoner with significant injuries.

“McRae was already in prison for serious and violent offences, and his outburst of violence on this particular occasion demonstrates the risk he poses. By his own admissions, he intended to kill that day.

“He will now continue to remain in prison for a significant period of time, and will be on licence for the rest of his life if he is ever released.”