A REMAND prisoner who had seriously harmed himself was taken off a suicide watch a day before he was found hanged in his cell, it was revealed at an inquest yesterday.

A jury hearing evidence into the death of Steven Barrass, 23, was told the meeting to review his self-harm watch was held two days earlier than the seven days which had been scheduled.

Mr Barrass assured medical, prison and probation staff present at the meeting that he was fine.

Despite the nature of his injuries, the panel felt he no longer presented a risk of self-harm and closed the file.

The hearing, at Chester-le-Street Magistrates' Court, was told Mr Barrass had been on suicide watch when he arrived at Durham prison on November 17, 2003.

Mr Barrass was said to be depressed and upset after an "irate phone call" with his brother, who had told him not to bother his terminally-ill mother and threatened to kill him if he rang again.

The following day, Mr Barrass cut both his wrists and his neck three times, and attached a ligature to a tap in his cell, the hearing was told.

When he was taken to Durham University hospital he refused treatment.

It was decided at a review on November 20 to extend the watch by seven days.

However, five days later a further meeting was held.

Probation officer Mark Ashley said that, while Mr Barrass' injuries looked serious, he was "pretty upbeat" and was thinking about the future.

Mr Barrass referred to the situation as a "one-off" and said he did not wish to place his family through any more trauma, the hearing was told.

Senior nurse Geoff Lodge, who also attended the meeting, said: "He seemed fairly comfortable. He was more embarrassed than anything and regretted what he had done."

Principal Officer Paul Flack, who chaired the last meeting, said it had been held two days earlier due to an administrative error.

Mr Barrass, from Washington, on Wearside, died on November 26, 2003.

The hearing continues.