An inmate who has pleaded guilty to a terrorism crime and other serious offences has told a Sydney court he is sorry for carving an Islamic State-inspired slogan into his cellmate's head.

Key points: Hraichie told the court he wasn't sorry for carving 'e4e' into a cellmate's forehead

Hraichie told the court he wasn't sorry for carving 'e4e' into a cellmate's forehead His defence team withdrew after he sent Justice Peter Johnson a letter from prison

His defence team withdrew after he sent Justice Peter Johnson a letter from prison Like his previous court appearances, Hraichie refused to stand for the judge

Bourhan Hraichie, 21, told Parramatta Supreme Court he was not sorry for assaulting inmate Michael O'Keefe, but should not have carved the slogan "e4e" — a reference to "an eye for an eye" — into his head.

He also said he should not have tortured O'Keefe by water-boarding him.

The court has previously heard that Hraichie sent a letter to the Corrective Services Commissioner claiming his attack on O'Keefe was "Islamic State inspired".

The letter also said the attack had "turned your soldier into an Islamic State sketch pad" and threatened to "turn your jails into slaughterhouses".

Hraichie is awaiting sentence for the assault on O'Keefe and for planning in October 2015 to shoot police on the steps of Bankstown police station and film the attack.

Michael O'Keefe's injuries are permanent. ( Supplied )

He represented himself at today's hearing after his defence team withdrew following an "inflammatory" letter Hraichie wrote to Judge Peter Johnson from prison.

The letter is subject to a non-publication order, but will form part of the judge's remarks when Hraichie is sentenced on August 2.

Like previous court appearances, Hraichie did not stand for the judge.

The atmosphere became heated when Hraichie tried to "give evidence" about the letter saying it was "not a political stunt".

"This court is not to be used as a soap box for your opinion," the judge remarked.

While the contents of the letter is supressed, the judge ruled what was said about it at today's hearing could be reported.

The Crown said Hraichie's letter had distanced himself from Islamic State in a limited way, but maintained his commitment to violent jihad.