![\"Undated](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_191311112-f203.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe notorious murderer was left cowering under his bed, jurors were told (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tThe notorious murderer was left cowering under his bed, jurors were told (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n
Sarah Payne\u2019s killer Roy Whiting has told a court how another inmate tried to kill him with a wooden shank.<\/strong><\/p>\n The notorious murderer was left cowering under his bed after Andrew Light, 45, started attacking his head and neck with the crude weapon at the top security HMP Wakefield, jurors heard.<\/p>\n When a guard asked if Whiting was dead, Light allegedly replied: \u2018Let\u2019s hope so.\u2019<\/p>\n Whiting told Leeds<\/a> Crown Court: \u2018I bled a hell of a lot \u2013 I thought it was something major.\u2019<\/p>\n Prosecutor Michael Smith told jurors \u2018we will not be seeking any sympathy for Roy Whiting\u2019, who they heard is serving life for Sarah\u2019s murder in 2000, but added in this case \u2018he is the victim\u2019.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a><\/strong> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> <\/strong>alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n Giving evidence,\u00a0Whiting\u00a0told the jury he was in his single occupancy cell on D Wing during the association period between 2pm and 4.30pm on February 11 last year.<\/p>\n He said Light came into his cell as he was stood beside his noticeboard marking down what he had eaten that day.<\/p>\n \u2018I heard the door open on my cell and an inmate walked in. I didn\u2019t know him, I have never met him, never spoken to him,\u2019 Whiting told the court.<\/p>\n \u2018I had seen him on the wing maybe once or twice. He asked me if I was Whiting, and I said \u201cyes\u201d.<\/p>\n \u2018And then he pulled a homemade shank and started to attack me with it. It was in his hand, and I didn\u2019t see it until he pulled his hand around in front of him.<\/p>\n \u2018He didn\u2019t say anything, rather than start swinging with me with the shank in his hand.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Whiting said Light was raining \u2018quite forceful\u2019 blows to his face and head as he tried to defend himself with his arms.<\/p>\n He described losing his balance and falling onto his bed with his back towards the wall.<\/p>\n Light then lay on top of Whiting, the court heard, who managed to grab the bigger man\u2019s wrists.<\/p>\n \u2018He was still trying to stab me with the shank, but he could not get any real power,\u2019 Whiting said.<\/p>\n Light then stood up and Whiting used his legs to fend him off, he said, adding: \u2018I was just trying to defend myself as best I could.\u2019<\/p>\n He described been hit by \u2018at least a dozen\u2019 blows to his face and head, which were \u2018coming in so fast and quick\u2019.<\/p>\n Light then stood up, the court heard, and Whiting was able to get off the bed.<\/p>\n He said he then heard the \u2018rattle\u2019 of a prison guard\u2019s keys and made a \u2018lunge\u2019 for the door and shouted out for help.<\/p>\n \u2018I knew I had been cut badly, I didn\u2019t know exactly where,\u2019 Whiting said, describing how he was \u2018knackered\u2019 after trying to fight off his attacker.<\/p>\n He said: \u2018I got under my bed for protection.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t Officers then entered the cell and detained Light.<\/p>\n The court heard Light asked \u2018Is he dead?\u2019 to which a guard replied: \u2018Let\u2019s hope not.\u2019<\/p>\n Light was said to have answered: \u2018Let\u2019s hope so.\u2019<\/p>\n Jurors where shown photographs of the injuries to Whiting\u2019s face ear, neck, and stomach.<\/p>\n Mr Smith told the jury Whiting was serving time in HMP Wakefield for the murder of Sarah Payne more than 20 years ago.<\/p>\n The jury was told that Light has admitted possessing a bladed article in the prison and also pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Whiting.<\/p>\n But the prosecutor said the attack was an attempt to kill Whiting or do him really serious harm.<\/p>\n Light denies attempted murder and wounding with intent.<\/p>\n The trial continues.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n For more stories like this, <\/strong>check our news page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Undated](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_39243415-1b53.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe court heard Whiting is serving life for Sarah Payne\u2019s murder in 2000 (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_141112653-9405-e1750707094880.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe alleged attack happened at the top security HMP Wakefield (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
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