A MAN accused of repeatedly raping a young boy has been found dead in a cell of a North-East prison.

The body of James Gerard McCreadie, 45, of Bewick Court, in Newcastle, was discovered in HMP Durham, on Saturday morning.

Attempts were made to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was accused, along with another man, of six offences of rape of a male child.

Mr McCreadie had been remanded into custody after appearing in court and was due to stand trial in summer.

A third man has also been charged with two offences of the rape of a male child.

All three of the accused men appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Christmas Eve and were remanded into custody.

The charges followed a report that a young boy had been raped at an address in the city.

Police were informed on Tuesday, December 10 and the accused men were arrested.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between January 1 and December 9 this year.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "HMP Durham prisoner James McCreadie was found unresponsive in his cell on Saturday, December 28.

"Prison staff attempted CPR and paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead at 5.43am.

"As with all deaths in custody, the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."

Officers from Durham Constabulary are preparing a file for the coroner who will carry out an inquest.

A spokesman for the force said: “We can confirm a 45-year-old man died at HMP Durham on Saturday, December 28. An investigation into his death has been launched. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Police said they are unable to comment on the circumstances surrounding the death or confirm how Mr McCreadie died.

A plea and case management hearing has been scheduled to take place at Newcastle Crown Court on February 28 next year.

A ten day trial has been listed for July 14.