A man accused of trying to kill two members of staff at a mental health centre refused to leave his cell for a court hearing on Tuesday.

Myha Grant is being held at high security Belmarsh Prison in Thamesmead, south east London, and was due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court by video link.

But his lawyer told a judge: "He said he is not interested in going anywhere out of his cell."

Grant is charged with attempting to murder Francis Barrett and Julius Falomo at the Bracton Centre in Dartford on July 17 this year and two alternative charges of wounding with intent.

The 30-year-old, of Ellison Road, Streatham, south London, is also accused of arson with intent to endanger life at the centre and an alternative of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

An earlier magistrates’ court hearing was told the two victims both had knife injuries, one being stabbed at least 10 times.

They were taken to King’s College Hospital in London.

A spokesman for the NHS Oxleas Foundation Trust, which runs the centre in Bracton Lane, later said: “We are offering support to patients and staff affected by the incident, and to the families of our two colleagues who were directly involved.”

Three fire engines dealt with the blaze within 30 minutes.