PRISON bosses have refused to confirm speculation that two teenagers accused of raping a North-East pensioner are being held in a high security prison unit for their own safety.

The attack on the 65-year-old woman, at her home in The Grove, Marton, on September 29, caused outrage across the community.

Concerns had been raised that inmates at Castington Young Offenders' Institution, in Northumberland, could target David Humphrey, and Lee Beazley, both 19, who are on remand charged with rape and aggravated burglary.

As a precaution, it is believed prison officials placed the pair in a segregation unit for their own safety, away from the main prison population.

There have been unconfirmed reports that Mr Humphrey has already been attacked while on remand.

He was also threatened during an outburst from someone in the public gallery when he initially appeared at a Teesside Magistrates' Court in October.

A Castington spokeswoman would not confirm whether the pair were being held in a segregated unit or whether Mr Humphrey had been attacked.

She said: "The Prison Service has a duty of care to prisoners and, if there is anything to suggest there is a threat to any individual prisoner, then the Prison Service will make suitable arrangements to be reviewed on a daily basis.

"That may entail prisoners being moved if that is what the assessment suggests."

Mr Beazley, of Dalcross Court, Hemlington, and Mr Humphrey, of Deepdale Avenue, Grove Hill, both Middlesbrough, last appeared at Teesside Crown Court on October 11.

The case was adjourned until December 15 for plea and directions.