A prisoner is accused of slicing the top of a prison imam's head open with a knife and stabbing him five times in an alleged murder bid. Ahmed Ali Alid, 47, a Moroccan national, also faces charges of occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.
The alleged attack on Roderic Vassie occurred at HMP Full Sutton in Yorkshire on August 8 of last year, after Friday prayers. The court heard that Alid was in possession of a piece of metal, which served as the offensive weapon.
CCTV footage reportedly shows Alid walking over to Imam Vassie, slicing the top of his head, and then stabbing him further five times in the head and chest area. Alid pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and the other charges at the Old Bailey via a video link from HMP Wakefield.
Following the alleged incident at HMP Full Sutton, Alid was transferred to HMP Wakefield. There, on October 21, he is accused of assaulting prison officer Sarah Mitchell. Prosecutor Sally-Anne Russell stated that when Ms. Mitchell opened Alid's cell door, he began throwing multiple items at her. Ms. Mitchell suffered a broken nose and bruising, among other injuries.
Alid, who was remanded back into custody, was assisted by a Moroccan translator during the hearing. His trial is scheduled to take place at Newcastle Crown Court on November 25.