Three inmates deny murder of fellow prisoner

Mahir Abdulrahman was found unresponsive in his cell at HMP Fosse Way on 20 August

Three prisoners accused of murdering a fellow inmate have pleaded not guilty to the offence and are due to face trial next year.

Shaan Karim, 38, Thierry Robinson, 21, and Ashirie Smith, 18, denied the charge of murder at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

The victim, Mahir Abdulrahman, 31, was found unresponsive in his cell at HMP Fosse Way in Glen Parva, Leicestershire, on 20 August and pronounced dead at the scene.

All three defendants appeared via video link and spoke only to confirm their names and enter their pleas.

Judge Timothy Spencer KC told the defendants, who wore prison-issue grey clothing: "Gentlemen, I will set this case down for trial.

"You will all stand trial for murder in this court at a trial beginning on 28 April [2025]."

The trial is expected to take three to four weeks.