A PRISONER has admitted subjecting a fellow inmate to a terrifying 20 minute ordeal of sickening violence that almost killed him.

Dangerous offender Steven Hanson slashed Steven Lindsay with a homemade knife as he slept, before throwing a television at him and stabbing him with part of the broken screen.

The 22-year-old had barricaded the cell on C wing of HMP Durham and while prison officers tried to get in he poured shower gel and boiling water on his victim, shouting: “I am going to give him a wash.”

Hanson, from Sunderland, who was on remand for slashing his own mother across the face with a knife, then tried to hang Lindsay, who was on remand accused of burglary, using a prison blanket.

Hanson today (Wednesday, June 18) pleaded guilty to attempted murder at Newcastle Crown Court.

Christopher Tehrrani QC, prosecuting, said Hanson told Lindsay he wanted to kill him.

He said: “It was terrifying. Mr Lindsay believed what the defendant was saying, that he was going to die.”

Hanson told prison officers he was not coming out unless television cameras were there.

The attack ended when officers removed the cell door.

Lindsay said he slid out on his own blood "like an ice hockey puck".

He added that the attack was unprovoked and they had been getting on, but Hanson said they had fought and that Lindsay had stabbed him in the leg.

The attack took place in the early hours of July 19. Lindsay was taken to University Hospital of North Durham where he remained for five days.

He was treated for multiple cuts to the head, neck, arms, wrists, ear, neck, scalp and hand and hot water burns to the head, face, neck and shoulder as well as a fractured left eye socket.

The court heard the attack on Hanson's mother, took place in Sunderland, on May 31, 2013, as she walked him to a Metro station.

He has also pleaded guilty to wounding with intent in relation to that incident.

Toby Hedworth QC, mitigating, said Hanson, previously jailed for 16 months for slashing a young woman across the shoulder with knife, was a "very troubled young man".

He added: “These are very serious offences and he acknowledges that.”

Hanson, who has no fixed address, will be sentenced tomorrow (Thursday, June 19).