28-yr-old refused to leave cell to face jail officers kill bid rap

MANCHESTER Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi refused to appear in court yesterday to face charges of attempting to murder three prison officers.

- BY TOM PETTIFOR Crime Editor

Abedi, 28, allegedly attacked the guards at HMP Frankland in County Durham on April 12.

Chief Magistrate Judge Paul Goldspring told Westminster magistrates' court that the defendant had refused to leave his cell in HMP Belmarsh, South East London. Abedi has opted not to have legal representation.

Judge Goldspring told prosecutor Louise Attrill: "You have probably got the information that I have, that he has refused. That puts us in some logistical and practical difficulties."