AN inmate has appeared in court charged with attempting to kill two prison officers at a top-security jail.

Convicted killer Kevan Atul Kumar Thakrar is accused of stabbing three officers at Frankland Prison, near Durham City, on March 13, leaving two in hospital.

Yesterday, Thakrar, 23, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court, in east Durham, via video link from Woodhill Prison, in Buckinghamshire, to face two charges of attempted murder and one charge of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

No pleas were entered during the four-minute hearing and the case was adjourned to Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday.

Thakrar is accused of trying to kill Craig Wylde and Claire Lewis, and wounding Neil Walker, with a broken glass bottle.

Annabel Timan, who travelled from London to represent Thakrar, made no application for bail and her client was remanded in custody.

Presiding magistrate Robert Harrison told Thakrar, who appeared bearded and wearing a blue-grey roundnecked T-shirt: “You’ve heard what’s been said. We’re adjourning your case until October 6 when you will appear at Newcastle Crown Court. Until then, you will be remanded into custody.”

It is believed the officers were opening Thakrar’s cell door shortly before 9am when the incident happened. He is said to have barricaded himself in for nearly 24 hours in a bid to be moved into segregation with his brother, Miran.

Mr Wylde lost the use of his left hand and may never work again.

Thakrar, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, is serving a 35-year minimum sentence, along with his brother, for shooting three men to death with a submachine gun over a £10,000 drugs debt.