(Image: The Northern Echo)
A young prisoner was found dead in his cell at a County Durham prison, an inquest has heard.
Bradley Kinnair, from Sunderland, died unexpectedly at HMP Deerbolt, in Barnard Castle, on July 16 this year.
The 26-year-old was identified by prison governor Andrew Haslam that day, an inquest opening into his death at Crook Coroners’ Court on Tuesday (August 11) heard.
Coroner’s officer Laura Menzies said a post-mortem was carried out at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle on July 20.
Dr Sam Hoggard listed his medical cause of death as “unascertained pending further investigations”.
Emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, were called to the prison at 4.50pm following the death.
Durham Police said at the time that it was not being treated as suspicious and that a file would then be prepared for the Coroner.
A spokesperson said: "Police were called at 4.50pm on July 16 following the death of a prisoner at HMP Deerbolt, in Barnard Castle.
"The 26-year-old’s death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file is being prepared for the coroner. Officers continue to support the man’s family during this difficult time.
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The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) states that the investigation into his death behind bars remains in progress.
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said at the time: "We received a call at 3.59pm on Thursday, July 16, to reports of an incident HM Young Offenders Institution on Lartington Lane in Barnard Castle.
"We dispatched two ambulance crews to the scene.”
The inquest was adjourned for a mention hearing on February 2 to allow for the PPO reports to be produced.