Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Man held on suspicion of murder after prison inmate found dead in cell

A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident after West Mercia Police officers attended HMP Stoke Heath.

A 26-year-old man remains in police custody (Alamy/PA)
A 26-year-old man remains in police custody (Alamy/PA)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a prison inmate was found dead inside his cell.

West Mercia Police said it received a report from HMP Stoke Heath, near Market Drayton, Shropshire, that the man, in his 40s, was found dead in the cell at around 7.40am on Tuesday.

A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident after officers attended the prison. He remains in custody.

Superintendent Carl Moore said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has lost his life.

“An investigation has begun to establish the full circumstances of his death.”

HMP Stoke Heath is a men’s Category C prison that houses nearly 800 inmates.

It was given the highest rating for keeping prisoners safe in its latest unannounced inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons in January 2023.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in