AN inmate is to stand trial accused of carrying out an attack at a high security jail in which a fellow prisoner lost the use of an eye.

Ross Wilkinson is accused of thrusting a sharpened object into the other inmate’s eye in the exercise yard at Frankland Prison, Durham.

The implement used was not recovered, but it caused an injury which resulted in the victim, an inmate from Teesside in his early to mid-20s, losing sight in the eye.

Wilkinson was arrested as the alleged perpetrator, but he claimed he was not responsible for the attack.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court, via video link from HMP Forest Bank, in Swinton, Manchester, Wilkinson denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Judge Christopher Prince said it appeared to be a “straightforward issue” of identity, which will involve several serving inmates giving evidence at the estimated three-day trial, starting at the court on May 28. Wilkinson was remanded to remain in custody.