AN inmate accused of attempting to murder a prison officer in Worcestershire has had his trial delayed yet again just days before it was set to begin.

David Bieber, also known as Nathan Wayne Coleman, is accused of the attempted murder of Alison Smith following an incident at HMP Long Lartin.

The 52-year-old denies the attempted murder charge, wounding Alison Smith with intent to do her grievous bodily harm and unauthorised possession in prison of a knife or offensive weapon (a pronged metal bar).

The charges relate to an incident at the prison in South Littleton, Evesham, on October 10, 2017.

Bieber had been due to stand trial at the city’s crown court in November 2019, but that was delayed for April 2020.

That trial was also postponed before eventually being rescheduled for the week of February 22.

READ MORE: David Bieber (AKA Nathan Wayne Coleman) to stand trial for 'trying to kill a prison officer'

But at the latest hearing of the case, held at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Nicholas Cartwright said he would now have to vacate that trial date due to a number of still unresolved issues that had further delayed the case.

Among them had been issues surrounding Bieber's legal representation as although he is representing himself a barrister will need to be appointed for cross examination of witnesses, as legally the defendant is not allowed to do this himself.

The court heard there had also been issues with the examination of the weapon, and that Bieber would need a new psychiatric report as, due to the delays, a previous one was out of date.

The judge said: "The trial is not going to be able to proceed next week.

"I set Thursday, March 25, before me if at all possible, for further directions.

"I vacate the trial that is due to take place."

When the case went before Judge Robert Juckes a year ago he voiced his frustration at the delays saying he was anxious the trial could slip into 2021, which he said at the time was becoming “a risk”.