Man dies in crown court custody

Police are investigating the death of a 48-year-old man who collapsed at Derby Crown Court shortly after being sentenced for firearms offences.

Officers were called to the court at 1630 BST on Thursday after Graham Key, 48, of Alkmonton, Derbyshire was found in the custody area.

A police spokesperson said ambulance staff tried to revive him, but he died shortly after being taken to hospital.

An inquest has opened and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Key had pleaded guilty to nine firearms offences, including possession of a prohibited weapon, failing to notify police of transfer of a shotgun, possessing ammunition without a certificate and failing to comply with a firearms certificate.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "A prisoner held in Derby Crown Court cells died yesterday in circumstances described by the police as unexplained but not suspicious.

"As with all deaths in custody, the death of Mr Key will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman."