AN inquest is expected to be opened tomorrow into the death of a man being held in remand in prison.
Jamie Keir Smith was found hanged in his cell in Durham Prison on Monday morning.
The 43-year-old was awaiting trial charged with the rape of a woman in his home city of Carlisle.
Smith was accused of raping a 41-year-old woman in March and was due to stand trial at Carlisle Crown Court next month.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death will be carried out by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "HMP Durham prisoner Jamie Smith was found hanging in a cell at approximately 9.30am on Monday 21 May.
"He was pronounced dead at approximately 9.40am.
"As with all deaths in custody, the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation".
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