Murder accused found with throat cut in cell

A 52-year-old man accused of strangling a woman to death in her home died after being found with his throat cut in prison, authorities said today.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman launched an investigation after Leslie Stubbs, who was on remand over the murder of Deborah Wilkes, was found with his throat cut in his cell at HMP Birmingham shortly after 7.30am on Sunday.

He was taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly before 1pm yesterday, the Prison Service said.

Stubbs was accused of killing Ms Wilkes, 49, who was discovered dead in her home on Shirley Street, in Leek, Staffordshire, on August 23 last year.

A post-mortem examination found she died as a result of strangulation.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "HMP Birmingham prisoner Leslie Stubbs was found in his cell with his throat cut at 7.37am on Sunday August 29.

"Staff attempted to stabilise him and an ambulance took him to hospital but he was pronounced dead at 12.49pm on Monday August 30.

"As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation and we will look to see if lessons can be learned once the investigation is completed.

"Since 2004 there have been significant developments in prisoner suicide prevention policies and practices, including the development of a new care planning system for prisoners identified as at-risk of suicide and/or self-harm called ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) which is operating in all prisons in England and Wales."