AN alcoholic who stabbed his former wife to death was found hanging in his cell before he could be brought to trial, an inquest heard yesterday.

David Turner, 48, of Farnham Road, Newton Hall, Durham City, repeatedly stabbed Linda Hewitt, 45, in front of neighbours and passers-by as she left her home in Ryelands Way, Pity Me, Durham, on January 26, last year.

He was later arrested, covered in blood and smoking a cigar as he waited on the doorstep of a nearby house for the police to arrive.

Mr Turner was on remand in Holme House Prison, Stockton, when he was found hanging by a bed sheet tied to the toilet door in his cell on April 6, last year.

The inquest jury at Teesside Coroner's Court heard that he had a history of depression aggravated by alcohol abuse.

A report by his GP revealed the former civil servant was drinking a bottle of whisky a day at the time of the killing, which took place a year after the couple divorced.

Joe Nichol, a governor at Holme House Prison, said Mr Turner had been put on suicide watch after he was admitted to prison on January 30, but this had been lifted on March 31.

Donald Storm, his cell mate at Holme House, said Mr Turner rarely left his cell apart from at meal times.

In a statement read out to the jury, Mr Storm said: "He was like a fish out of water. He was petrified of being attacked by other prisoners. He cut himself off from the other inmates. All he did was read the thickest books he could find."

Mr Storm added: "He said he was not going to trial. By this, I thought he meant he was going to enter a guilty plea."

Mr Storm was moved to Durham Prison following a court appearance the day before Mr Turner's death.

The inquest heard Mr Turner was found hanging in his cell at about 6.30am by an officer doing a routine check on prisoners.

Attempts were made to resuscitate him after he was cut down, but he was dead.

The inquest continues.