A paedophile from the North-East whose partner is accused of murdering their two children in a Spanish hotel has been found dead in prison.

Martin Smith, 46, originally from North Shields, North Tyneside, was found dead on Monday evening at HMP Manchester, formerly Strangeways Prison.

The 46-year-old was found guilty of 11 specimen charges of rape, attempted rape, indecency with a child and indecent assault, spanning nine years fromMay 1995 to May 2004, following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court in December 2010.

In May 2010, Smith was taken to hospital for treatment after being attacked by a fellow inmate wielding a snooker cue while being held on remand at Durham Prison.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “Prisoner Martin Smith was found hanging by staff at HMP Manchester at approximately 6.30pm on Monday January 23 2012.

“Staff intervened but he was pronounced dead at the prison at approximately 7pm.

“As with all deaths in custody, the independent prisons and probation ombudsman will undertake an investigation.”