A prisoner ‘sliced top of prison imam’s head open with knife and stabbed him five times’ in an alleged murder bid, a court has heard.
Moroccan national Ahmed Ali Alid, 47, allegedly knifed Roderic Vassie at HMP Full Sutton in Yorkshire on August 8 last year.
Alid, appearing at the Old Bailey via a video link from HMP Wakefield, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.
The court heard that Alid allegedly attempted to murder Roderic Vassie after Friday prayers.
It is alleged that he was in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a piece of metal, inside HMP Full Sutton, near York, on that same day.
Prosecutor Sally-Anne Russell earlier said: ‘The first incident was on August 8, he attacked the imam in the prison using a sharp weapon.
‘CCTV shows he walked over to Imam Vassie and sliced the top of his head open and stabbed him a further five times in the head and chest area.’
The court previously heard that Alid was transferred to HMP Wakefield where he is accused of attacking prison officer Sarah Mitchell on October 21 last year.
Moroccan national Ahmed Ali Alid (pictured), 47, allegedly knifed Roderic Vassie at HMP Full Sutton in Yorkshire on August 8 last year
He is charged with assaulting Ms Mitchell occasioning her actual bodily harm, with the court previously hearing that she suffered a broken nose and bruising, among other injuries.
Ms Russell said: ‘After that attack, he was transferred to HMP Wakefield, and whilst there on October 21 he assaulted another prison officer, Sarah Mitchell.
‘When she opened the cell door, he started throwing multiple items at her.’
The defendant, who was remanded back into custody, was assisted by a Moroccan translator during the hearing.
He will face trial at Newcastle Crown Court on November 25.
