Murderer found dead in prison

Ian Hurst, aged 46, was convicted of murdering 26-year-old Paul Hunter in June 2006 after Paul confronted Hurst about his violent relationship with his mum Marilyn Hunter.

The Prison Service revealed Hurst had been found dead at Gartree Prison in Leicestershire, which is a lifer centre for some of the country's most dangerous criminals.

It is believed that he was found with throat wounds.

He was in a single cell and is not believed to have been on suicide watch.

Hurst struck in September 2005 when Paul Hunter had come back from university in Nottingham to confront Hurst, from Manchester, about his behaviour towards his mum.

The two got into a fight in the kitchen of the family's Bell Hagg Road home in Walkley. As they fought, Hurst stabbed him three times before fleeing the scene.

He was sentenced to life in prison following a three week trial at Leeds Crown Court and told he must serve a minimum of 14 years.

Hurst had split from Marilyn days before the attack but was still living at the family home.

Marilyn found the pair fighting and battled to revive her dying son, but it was too late to save his life.

The day after the murder, jobless Hurst was arrested walking near West Bar police station in Sheffield city centre.

He had earlier telephoned Marilyn and was told police were looking for him.

Hurst said he could remember nothing of the attack but in court he denied murder, claiming he stabbed Paul in self defence.

His death was the second in prisons yesterday, with another man found hanged in his cell in Bristol.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."

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