Schoolgirl murder accused beaten up in jail

LONDON (Reuters) - A man charged with the murder of a 15-year-old girl whose remains were found in a house in Kent has been beaten up in prison, security sources said on Thursday.

Handyman Peter Tobin, 61, suffered cuts and bruises in the attack and was taken to hospital in Edinburgh.

He was set upon by fellow prisoners on Wednesday in the city's Saughton jail, where he was being temporarily held before a court hearing.

He is due to appear in court for a second time on Thursday charged with the murder of schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton, who disappeared in 1991. Police found her remains during searches of a house in Margate earlier this month.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said an inmate was attacked in the jail on Wednesday, but declined to name him or give details of the incident.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment on individual prisoners," he said. "I can confirm that a prisoner was assaulted in Edinburgh last night and has been taken to hospital for treatment."

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said officers were investigating an incident at the prison. No arrests have been made.

Sources confirmed that it was Tobin who was attacked. His injuries are not life-threatening.

Doctors will check Tobin's condition before a decision is made on whether he is well enough to appear in court.

Tobin first appeared in court charged with Hamilton's murder last week. He made no plea and was remanded in custody.