A YOUNG inmate has appeared in court accused of a serious stabbing at a young offenders’ institution (YOI).

It follows what is understood to have been an “arranged” fight between two inmates on a landing at Deerbolt YOI, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The victim is said to have been slashed across the upper chest and neck area with an improvised weapon, made up of a razor blade moulded into the head of a tooth brush.

Twenty-year-old Zac Foster, who was subsequently transferred to a young offenders’ custodial centre in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He appeared via video link at Durham Crown Court today (Wednesday October 28), but the hearing was told his counsel, David Lamb, has been unable to have a client conference, but hoped to do so in coming days.

Mr Lamb asked for the hearing to be re-listed for Friday (October 30), when he hopes “more progress could be made” in the case.

Judge Christopher Prince agreed and asked the court officials to re-arrange the video link hearing, on Friday.