A man accused of murdering a young mum has killed himself in prison just days after he was arrested, a court has been told.
Carl Scott, 46, was accused of killing Jayde Hall, 26, at a home in Stoke-on-Trent last Friday after officers were called to reports that a woman had been stabbed.
He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday and charged on Sunday before making his first court appearance on Bank Holiday Monday, StokeonTrentLive reports.
After the appearance he was transferred to HMP Dovegate near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, where he "took his own life by way of hanging" the same day, the court heard.
Prosecutor Bob Price told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Wednesday: “I understand the defendant took his own life on Monday.
“His victim, Jayde Hall, died on Friday, May 24 and he was arrested in the early hours the following day and charged on May 26.
“He appeared in court on Bank Holiday Monday and transferred to Dovegate where he was remanded in custody.
“At 7pm police officers were informed he took his own life by way of hanging.”
Judge Paul Glenn adjourned the case to allow time for an indictment to be written and for police to provide evidence of Mr Scott's death.
The judge said: “I’m quite happy to wait for such evidence. It would be good to have a death certificate or evidence from someone who identified the body.”
Ms Hall's devastated family had issued a statement about her death on Tuesday, saying they were heartbroken.
The statement read: "We just can't believe what's happened.
"Jayde's death has broken our hearts.
"We would like to thank friends and family for all their kind wishes at this terrible time.
"We are not sure how we will ever get over this, but we ask to be given the time and space to grieve in private."
Ms Hall's cause of death has not been revealed.
HMP Dovegate is a male Category B training prison operated by Serco with more than 1,000 inmates.
