A DRUG addict who was assessed not to be a suicide risk was found hanged from the bars of his prison cell just days later, an inquest heard.

The body of Darren Christopher Cook, 26, was discovered by a prison officer at Holme House jail, Stockton, while he was on remand.

He had ripped up a sheet from his bed to make a ligature which he wrapped around his neck.

Mr Cook, originally from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, but who lived in Edgerton Street, Middlesbrough, had a history of heroin abuse and traces of cann-abis and diazepam were found in his blood, the hearing was told.

The inquest, which is taking place before a jury, heard that Mr Cook was arrested by police on the afternoon of November 14, 1999, for an alleged shoplifting offence.

Drugs paraphernalia, including hypodermic needles, were found and he was placed in a cell where he began making threats to harm himself.

The jury was told that Mr Cook was charged the next morning and taken to the cells at Teesside Magistrates' Court where Group Four prison officers placed him on a regular 15-minute watch to monitor his safety.

An assessment of his mental condition was carried out by probation officer Janet Michna and psychiatric nurse Thomas Grant, of the Cleveland Diversion Team.

Mr Cook, who had overdosed on heroin three years earlier, complained of feeling low and said his main problem was a lack of motivation to get off drugs.

But the assessment found that he was not significantly depressed and there was no discernible risk of self-harm.

He was later transferred to Holme House and was found dead in his cell in the early hours of November 18, 1999.

The hearing continues.