Fury as bomb plot brother snubs jail attack court date

TERRORIST Hashem Abedi must be dragged “kicking and screaming” to court after failing to appear yesterday on a scheduled video-link from prison, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has said.

- By Chris Riches and Michael Knowles

Abedi, 28, is accused of three counts of attempted murder, one of ABH and one of unauthorised possession of a knife or offensive weapon after four prison officers were injured at HMP Frankland on April 12. The offences were being treated as having a terrorist motivation, prosecutors said.

Justice sources told the Daily Express that Abedi refused to leave his cell and move into a specialist room set up to hold a video-link hearing.

He repeatedly stated he would not comply with requests to attend the virtual hearing before Westminster magistrates, it was claimed. This forced an adjournment.

Mr Jenrick said: “Abedi should be dragged to court kicking and screaming if that’s what it takes. He can’t escape facing up to justice.”