A MAN on trial accused of murdering a guest house landlady in East Yorkshire has committed suicide while waiting for the jury to reach a verdict.

John Heald, 53, was on trial at Hull Crown Court accused of murdering Bei Carter and raping another woman.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told the jury that Heald was found dead at Hull Prison last night.

The jury in the nine-day trial retired to consider its verdict yesterday afternoon.

Judge Richardson discharged the eight men and four women this afternoon.

He told them: "Ladies and gentlemen, I am now in a position to put you fully in the picture.

"The defendant committed suicide last night. I was advised this morning and I have heard some evidence about it in your absence to confirm that he is deceased.

"You are thus discharged of course from any further deliberation in this case and an appropriate order will be made.

"I can see from your faces that comes as quite a shock. It came as a shock to me this morning."

Earlier, a detective from Humberside Police confirmed Heald's death.

Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Baldwin told the court: "At 10.40 hours this morning I attended I wing at Hull Prison where I saw a male I know to be John Heald.

"I can confirm that he is deceased having hung himself during the night."

A Prison Service spokesman said: "John Heald was found unresponsive in his cell at Hull prison at about 5.50am today.

"Paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

"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."