Arena bomb-maker ‘used makeshift knives in prison attack’

Abedi was wearing a grey tracksuit as he appeared before the court.

It is alleged that Abedi had three makeshift knives during the initial alleged assault, and collected two more from his cell after the attack had started.

Prosecutors have alleged he twice shouted ‘”Allahu akbar”, meaning “God is greatest”, during the attack, and that the alleged offences had a terrorist motivation.

Abedi spoke to provide his name and date of birth. When asked for his address, he said: “I’m at Belmarsh at the moment.”

He answered “yeah” when asked if it was correct that he intends not to be legally represented.

Abedi was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on 17 October.

Following the incident in Frankland, three of the prison officers, two men and a woman, were taken to hospital, two with stab wounds.

In addition to allegedly using makeshift blades, Abedi has also been accused of throwing boiling hot liquid at officers during the attack.

At the time of the incident, the Prison Officers Association said the staff sustained life-threatening injuries including burns, scalds and stab wounds in an “unprovoked” and “vicious” attack.