Double murderer Simon Levy denies attacking prison officer

Double murderer Simon Levy has denied charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation in relation to an alleged attack on a prison guard at HMP Belmarsh in February. Levy, 41, who is serving a whole life sentence for the murders of Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins, appeared via videolink at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Prosecutor David Burns told the court that Levy allegedly attacked guard Paul Dunne with a pen, stabbing him multiple times in the arm and neck during a meeting. It is further alleged that Levy then grabbed Mr Dunne around the throat and tightened his grip. Levy’s lawyer, Jason Lartey, stated that his client denies assaulting the officer or grabbing him. Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram sent the case to Inner London Crown Court for trial, with a hearing scheduled for September 14.