Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi has refused to come to court to face allegations that he attempted to murder three prison guards.
The 28-year-old is accused of carrying out attacks at maximum security HMP Frankland while armed with a knife.
It is said he tried to kill security staff Paul Crampton, Gary Speight, and Catherine Herbert, as well as allegedly causing actual bodily harm to a fourth prison staffer, Craig Thompson.
Abedi was set to appear in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to face the criminal charges for the first time.
But the court was told he had refused to attend, and also indicated that he does not want a lawyer to represent him.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring suggested Abedi could be dragged to court by force if he continues to refuse to engage with legal proceedings, or a laptop with a videolink to the court could be set up in his prison cell.
By law, the magistrates’ court needs to formally identify the defendant before his case can proceed.
Due to the serious nature of the charges, Abedi’s case will be sent to the Crown Court to be dealt with.
Judge Goldspring adjourned the hearing for a week, so that measures can be taken to progress Abedi’s case even if he refuses to leave his cell at HMP Belmarsh.
“I don’t have the lawful power to order the use of force or any other method to get someone before a court”, he said.
“I could order that he ought to appear, and it would be up to the prison governor and service to decide what that means. The governor has the power to authorise the use of force if necessary.”
But the judge signalled that they may face a further obstacle if Abedi is brought to court and handed over by private contractor Serco, which supplies guards to courthouses. The company could then refuse to force Abedi up to the dock.
Judge Goldspring indicated that they will set up a videolink for next Thursday, in a bid to complete the formalities with Abedi still in prison, if necessary.
“At worst, they could put a laptop in his cell, if he won’t come out of the cell”, he said. “If we are satisfied it’s him, that’s enough for sending.”
The judge said the court is still waiting for a report from the prison on the exact reason for Abedi’s absence at Thursday’s hearing.
He ordered that the file is marked as “defendant has refused to attend”, but it may be changed to “absent” if the reason is unclear.
Abedi is accused of three counts of attempted murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and unauthorised possession in prison of a knife.
The charges all relate to incidents at HMP Frankland in County Durham on the same day, April 12 this year.
Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North East investigated after the alleged attacks, which left guards in hospital needing treatment.
Abedi was jailed in 2020 for helping his brother to plan the suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017 which killed 22 people.
