Local news from Kingston-Upon-Hull: A man charged with murder has been found dead at Hull prison. Early reports are that he died at his own hands. "He was found in his cell at Hull Prison at 05:50 GMT having hanged himself, Det Ch Insp Matthew Baldwin told the court." Hull Prison Service issued a statement via a spokesman which said: "Every self-inflicted death is a tragedy and we make strenuous efforts to learn from each one. As with all deaths, the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation." John Heald, 53, was in Hull Prison awaiting the jury's verdict regarding the murder of a woman in Yorkshire seaside resort Bridlington. He was charged with stabbing to death Bridlington guest house owner Bei Carter, 49, a married mother of two, on July 18, 2014. Heald went on the run following the death of Carter. A week following the murder police apprehended him in forest near Rotherham, his home town. In Hull court Heald did not deny the murder but claimed it was an accident. He told the court he had been depressed and that led him to Bridlington. He also claimed men wanting to "slash" him had visited the Bridlington guest house; as he tried to leave the guest house Heald said Mrs Carter tapped him on the shoulder and he panicked. He said he swung round lashing out and Mrs Carter tried to grab the knife he was brandishing. According to Heald Mrs Carter was stabbed in the struggle. He is also accused of committing three rapes in Yorkshire also in July. The rapes took place in Sheffield five days before Bei Carter was murdered. In court he was accused of being a proficient liar and manipulator who could usually wriggle out of trouble. During the trial prosecutor Graham Reeds QC said "After attacking her, stifling her screams and stabbing her, you put her to the floor and you stamped on her face three times. That would explain all her injuries wouldn't it?" Heald accepted responsibility for her death but denied stamping on her face. One single stab wound to the heart killed Mrs Carter. Her body was found later the same day by her husband. Heald had fled the scene.
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