A JURY has concluded that a North-East prisoner took his own life while the balance of his mind was disturbed.

William Hunter, who was known as Billy, was found dead at Durham Prison's health care centre on May 24, 2004.

The 25-year-old, of The Mill, Easington, County Durham, was slumped against a radiator, hanging from a cord, which was around his neck.

He was serving a two-and-a-half year sentence for supplying heroin after being convicted at Durham Crown Court.

Mr Hunter's body was discovered by a fellow inmate who alerted prison authorities, an inquest at Chester-le-Street heard.

Coroner Andrew Tweddle accepted the jury's unanimous verdict.

Mr Hunter was sentenced in October 2003 and originally sent to HMP Acklington in Northumberland.

He tried to take his life after four months and was transferred to the health care centre at HMP Durham.

Mr Hunter was there for a month before being transferred to E wing where he again tried to kill himself.

He was returned to the healthcare centre where he succeeded in taking his own life.

Mr Hunter's family, represented by his sister Lisa Nash, said they felt let down by the police, the courts and the prison service.

A statement released after the inquest said: "Billy was a much loved son, brother, uncle and grandson to his family and well liked by friends and the local community.

"His death alone has been very tragic and traumatic for the family but the fact he took his life in prison cell makes it so much harder to bear.

"Billy came from a loving and supportive family. Sadly, Billy took the wrong path in life and became addicted to drugs, this also had a devastating effect on the family.

"Despite years of trying to get help and pleading with Billy, getting him into a detoxification unit and Billy getting himself clean on numerous occasions this was not enough."