A convicted al Qaida terrorist has been charged with scalding another prisoner at a top security jail.

Fertiliser bomb plotter Omar Khyam allegedly poured boiling water over an armed robber at Frankland Prison, Durham, in October.

The 26-year-old, from Crawley, was the ringleader of a terror cell which planned a series of bombs across the South East, and whose targets included the Bluewater shopping centre, London's Ministry of Sound nightclub and gas and electricity supplies.

He was told he will serve at least 40 years for conspiracy to cause explosions which would endanger life.

He was due to appear before Teesside Crown Court via a video link yesterday, but a technical breach caused the case to be adjourned.

It has been listed for a plea and case management hearing in March.

In July last year, al Qaida prisoner Dhiren Barot, also known as Eesa Barot, was scalded at same the prison, which houses some of the country's most dangerous inmates.

Barot, who planned dirty bomb attacks on New York and the UK, declined to support the prosecution of his alleged attacker, a local robber, and the charges were dropped.

He received secret hospital treatment in Newcastle, amid fears he could be sprung from his bed or attacked if his whereabouts were released.