A PRISONER found hanged in his cell at Whitemoor Prison had previously threatened another inmate with a knife to bring his mental health issues to the attention of the authorities. Jonathan Durrant, 25, was discovered by staff at 10.15pm last Wednesday. H

A PRISONER found hanged in his cell at Whitemoor Prison had previously threatened another inmate with a knife to bring his mental health issues to the attention of the authorities.

Jonathan Durrant, 25, was discovered by staff at 10.15pm last Wednesday. He had been identified as being a self-harm risk.

Staff at the category A prison tried to resuscitate him and an ambulance was called, but he was pronounced dead half-an-hour later.

It brings the total number of self-harm deaths at the prison, since it opened in 1991, to five.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will be investigating."

Durrant, from Lincolnshire, was given a life sentence in December 2005 for wounding with intent. Seven years had been added for taking another prisoner hostage at Long Martin Prison.

Worcester Crown Court had heard how Durrant and another prisoner tied up Mohammed Ali for seven hours in his cell while negotiators tried to get them to surrender. Ali's face was cut with a knife and they threatened to cut off his toes.

Durrant had had been in trouble for several years, and in 2000 was jailed for six months for twice hurling a puppy from a 60ft high railway bridge in Lincolnshire.

The puppy fell on to mudbanks but was rescued by youngsters who handed it back to Durrant, not realising he who had thrown it in the first place.

Durrant then dangled the squealing puppy over the bridge by its lead and dropped it for a second time, causing brain injuries, a broken jaw and partial paralysis, but vets were able to save the dog's life.