Murder charge husband dies in cell

Murder charge husband dies in cell

The remand prisoner was found dead at Woodhill Prison

A Hertfordshire man accused of murdering his wife has been found dead in a prison cell.

Adel El Hage was charged with killing his 22-year-old wife Salmabu Sedra at their home at Beethoven Road in Elstree on 22 February.

She died from a single stab wound to the chest.

Details of the death were revealed on Friday at St Albans Crown Court where the case against Mr El Hage would have been heard.

It has now been formally closed.

Mr El Hage, who was from Saudi Arabia, was found dead by staff in his cell at Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes at 0605 GMT on 17 March - his 30th birthday.

Major concerns

A Home Office spokesman said a senior governor from another prison would be carrying out an investigation.

The police and coroner for North Buckinghamshire have been informed.

In February a report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons said there were too few staff at Woodhill Prison.

The report highlighted two major concerns, both linked to low staff numbers.

It also said suicide monitoring at the jail needed to be improved.