A suicide verdict was returned by an inquest jury on a prison inmate from the North-East who was found hanged.

Registered disabled, John Shutt, 52, of Kelsey House, Front Street, Kelloe, Durham, was found hanged by a shoe lace in his cell toilet at London's Belmarsh Prison.

Mr Shutt, who had been held in custody for nearly 18 months, was facing a trial for drug offences, Southwark Coroners Court, south London, was told. An application for bail failed the day before his death.

Prison Governor Nicholas Leader said there had been an investigation by the Metropolitan Police and the Prison Service. As a result, a redesign of the cells was due to be implemented later this year.