Man denies wounding Sarah's killer

Roy Whiting is serving a life sentence

A man accused of wounding Sarah Payne's killer, Roy Whiting, in prison has denied the attack.

Rickie Tregaskis, 34, pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at a preliminary hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

He is accused of attacking Whiting on 4 August 2002 in Wakefield Prison.

Whiting was sentenced to life in prison in 2001 for the murder of West Sussex schoolgirl Sarah Payne.

Security guards

Sarah, aged eight, disappeared while playing near her grandparents' home in Kingston Gorse in July 2001.

Her body was found in nearby Pulborough 17 days later.

Tregaskis, handcuffed and flanked by security guards, spoke only to confirm his name and to enter his plea during the brief hearing.

Judge Robert Taylor fixed a trial date for 29 March 2004 and remanded Tregaskis in custody.