A DANGEROUS prisoner who almost killed his cellmate during a frenzied and "sadistic" attack has been jailed for life.

Steven Hanson, 22, subjected Steven Lindsay, to a 20 minute ordeal of sickening violence while they were both at Durham Prison.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how he slashed him with a homemade knife, before throwing a television at him and stabbing him in the head with a shard of the broken screen.

He then poured boiling water on his victim before trying to hang him.

Passing sentence today, (Thursday, June 19) Justice Peter Openshaw said he would serve a minimum term of 15 years before he could be considered for parole.

He said: “The injuries with the boiling water, it seems to me were inflicted with elements of sadism. The injuries were dreadful.”

Hanson was being held at HMP Durham on remand accused of slashing his 39-year-old mother across the face with a knife in Sunderland on May 31 last year.

Psychiatrist Dr John Frazer wrote a report for the court, saying he has shown no empathy for either of his two victims.

Dr Frazer said he believes Hanson suffers from a personality disorder and he is reported to have said: “I can’t stop myself once I get angry”.

The doctor concluded he should be classed as "dangerous" and believes there is a substantial risk of reoffending with a violent "possibly homicidal outcome".

On Wednesday, Hanson pleaded guilty to attempted murder of Lindsay, who was on remand for burglary, on July 19, last year as well as the wounding of his mother with intent.

The judge said: “The defendant has pleaded guilty to two attacks of the utmost gravity. The defendant has not shown the slightest regret or remorse.”

At the hearing on Wednesday, Hanson’s mother attended the court but left when he became agitated in the dock.

The court was told she has been left with two scars, still visible from her nose to her ear, which needed more than 70 stitches.

After Hanson was jailed, DI Denise Clark, from Northumbria Police, said: "This has been an extremely difficult and traumatic time for the victim and I'd like to thank her for her support throughout, as well as all of the witnesses who have come forward to bring this case to court.

"The sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of this offence and I'm glad a dangerous man such as Hanson will spend a substantial amount of time behind bars.”