Hartlepool-born prisoner found dead in his cell

Joshua Scholick was found dead in his cell at Durham Prison.

The body of Hartlepool-born Joshua Scholick was discovered at Durham Prison on Saturday.

An inquest has now opened into the circumstances behind the 26-year-old's death.

The hearing at County Durham and Darlington Coroner's Court has been adjourned for further investigations to be carried out and is expected to resume in April next year.

Scholick was described in court documents as unemployed and his last known address was listed as Durham Prison.

The coroner's court documents added: "He was formally identified by a prison officer."

A post mortem and toxicology tests have been carried out although their results have still to be disclosed.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

“As with all deaths in custody there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.”