Three teenagers were charged in Magistrates' Court yesterday with assaulting two prison officers at the Co-Ed facility.

J'dun Thompson, 16, Clarke Fox, 17, and Deitre Ford, 16, were each charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after an alleged attack on a pair of guards.

They have also been charged with attempting to escape custody. Thompson was further charged with breaking a window. The trio pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

A fourth inmate, who cannot be named due to his juvenile status, is expected to be processed through the Family Court on related charges.

The move came under criticism from lawyer Llewellyn Peniston who claimed Police failed to notify him in advance of his client's appearance.

Mr. Peniston, who is representing Ford, told The Royal Gazette he was "damn angry" about what had taken place.

"I was astonished, if not outright angry, having early [yesterday] afternoon, learned from the parents of the accused men in connection with the recent Co-ed incident that they were produced in court this morning without notice to counsel for the accused men, and particularly, given their youth."

Mr. Peniston said he went through "a lengthy interview process" with the accused and Police only days ago, during which the teenagers signed a form requesting their counsel be notified prior to any proceedings.

"The sheer incompetence of these officers in failing to advise counsel of the accused's choice of counsel, that they intended to produce them into court this morning, is hopefully not a reflection of a possible broader level of incompetence on the part of the Police or represents a complete disregard for an accused's right to have counsel of their choice present," he stated.

"My expression of being angry over this omission is an understatement, the true sentiment is that I am damn angry and hope the prosecution grasps this signal of concern."

Last night, a Police spokesperson defended the officers, saying they had "acted in a professional manner" and got the youths to court in an "expeditious manner".

"As a matter of courtesy the Bermuda Police Service calls lawyers to let them know when their clients are going to court but we are not obligated to do so," the spokesperson said. "It is unfortunate that Mr Peniston was not informed in this instance, but the parents were made aware.

"It is the responsibility of persons who are to appear before a court to seek legal counsel and keep them informed.

"These young men were in the custody of the Department of Corrections and were brought to court from that facility.

According to television reports last weekend, a male prison officer was beaten in a prison cell, and a female officer attacked as she tried to assist him.

Commissioner of Corrections Lt. Col. Edward Lamb has not commented on whether those reports were correct.

During yesterday's court proceedings, Fox claimed he had been "abusively beaten by officers" while being held at the facility. "I am sure that they provide you with ample opportunity to make complaints within that system," replied Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner. "This is not the place."

The three were remanded into custody at Westgate until their trial in Magistrates' Court on October 30.