An inmate claims he carried out a serious assault on a fellow prisoner in self-defence, fearing he, too, would otherwise be attacked.
David Smith Warrender McLaughlin appeared at a Durham Crown Court plea hearing via video link from HMP Northumberland, where he is now serving a prison sentence.
Both the defendant and the complainant in the case were on remand in Durham Prison at the time of the alleged attack, on February 27 last year.
Following a brief conference with her client, Penny Hall, representing McLaughlin, said the charge could be put to him.
Judge Jo Kidd asked Miss Hall if there would be an offer of a plea to a lesser charge.
Miss Hall said there would not, as the defendant would be putting forward a case of “self-defence” at trial.
“His case is that he was attacked and defended himself.”
A further case management hearing will take place on May 13.
Miss Hall said the defendant is now serving a prison sentence but is due for release in only a week’s time.
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Martin Towers, prosecuting, said he had no instructions to seek to have the defendant further remanded upon his release, on February 19, ahead of the trial.
Judge Kidd, therefore, adjourned the case pending the pre-trial hearing in May and the trial, itself, in November and granted McLaughlin technical bail.
His bail correspondence address was given as Turnbull Close, Gilesgate, Durham.
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