The murder trial of the Belmarsh prison inmate allegedly killed by his two cellmates has been given a virtual hearing.

Two defendants, Steven Hilden and Terry Jocham, both aged 28 and of no address, are both charged with the murder of 36-year-old Sundeep Ghuman.

Prison wardens found Mr Ghuman suffering from head injuries after an assault inside high-security HMP Belmarsh on February 18.

The victim was taken to hospital where he died the following day.

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Two men, both inmates at HMP Belmarsh, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.

The defendants did not attend the hearing by agreement between all parties, but the case was heard virtually at the Old Bailey.

Today, March 31, Judge Sarah Munro QC held a preliminary hearing with lawyers and court reporters dialling into a telephone conference.

During the short court hearing, Judge Munro set a plea and case management hearing and remanded the defendants into custody.

The murder trial is set to take place on June 19.

Belmarsh in south-east London is one of only three high-security "core" local prisons in England and Wales. It has housed some of Britain's most high-profile prisoners.

An inspection report in 2018 showed that levels of violence had increased at Belmarsh since it was last assessed three years previously.

The murder trial o