Inmate denies assault on guard at high-security prison
A man charged with attacking a prison officer at Belmarsh has entered a not-guilty plea, according to court documents released on Tuesday. Simon Levy, an inmate at the southeast Lo…
A man charged with attacking a prison officer
A man charged with attacking a prison officer at Belmarsh has entered a not-guilty plea, according to court documents released on Tuesday. Simon Levy, an inmate at the southeast London facility, is accused of using a pen to stab the guard in the neck and then attempting to choke him during an incident inside the jail.
The alleged attack took place earlier this month, though prosecutors have not disclosed the exact date or the circumstances that led to the confrontation. Levy appeared via video link at Woolwich Crown Court, where he spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea. The judge set a trial date for early next year, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for November.
Authorities have not commented on the guard's condition, but sources familiar with the case said the officer received medical treatment and has since been released from the hospital. The prison, known officially as HMP Belmarsh, houses some of the UK's most dangerous offenders, including terrorism suspects and high-profile prisoners.
Levy, who is in his 40s, has a
Levy, who is in his 40s, has a history of violent offenses, though details of his current sentence were not made public. His legal team declined to comment outside court, citing the ongoing proceedings. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the charges include assault with intent to cause serious harm and attempted strangulation.
Prison unions have repeatedly raised concerns about staff safety, citing understaffing and a rise in assaults. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said in a statement that violence against officers is unacceptable and that measures are in place to protect staff, while also noting that the matter is now subject to legal process.
The case has drawn attention to conditions at Belmarsh, which was originally built as a high-security holding center. Levy remains in custody while awaiting trial, and the court has imposed no bail conditions given the nature of the charges.