The accused murderer of Robert Atkins has sustained serious injuries after a stabbing at Yatala

The accused murderer of Robert Atkins has been seriously injured in a stabbing attack at Yatala Labour Prison.

Accused murderer Sean Clive Phypers has been seriously injured after he was stabbed at Yatala Labour Prison.

The 32-year-old was allegedly attacked by another inmate with a makeshift knife, on Friday about 1.30pm.

A spokeswoman from the Department for Correctional Services confirmed the “alleged perpetrator was separated” and they reported the incident to police.

Accused murderer Sean Clive Phypers, who was charged with the murder of Robert Atkins, has been stabbed while behind bars. Picture: Facebook.

Police confirmed that Mr Phypers sustained serious, but not life-threatening, injuries as a result of the attack.

Mr Phypers was arrested in April as part of Task Force Southern and charged with the murder, unlawful detention and the assault of 29-year-old missing man Robert Atkins.

Mr Atkins was last seen at Port Pirie on November 16, 2020 – a week after he had been the victim of brutal assaults allegedly because of drug debt.

His body is yet to be found.

Robert Atkins went missing in November 2021. Picture: SA Police

Four other people have also been charged with offences of detaining a person to commit an indictable offence and causing harm with intent.

It is alleged the 29 year old was stripped bare, hog tied and subjected to “deliberate and systematic series of assaults in the week leading up to his murder.

Task Force Southern was launched in December 2021 for the alleged murders of Jeff Mundy, Robert Atkins and Trevor King and has also netted a number of drug-related arrests.