Murder charge man 'wants to die'

Mr Rodgers has not eaten properly since Christmas Eve

A man accused of killing his daughter is eating just enough to avoid being force fed, his solicitor claims.

Nottingham Crown Court heard Terry Rodgers, 56, remains in a psychiatric unit after being charged with murder.

Chanel Taylor was found shot dead in July 2004 at the Huthwaite home she shared with her father.

Defending solicitor Stephen Ferguson said: "Terry Rodgers has one desire, sadly that is to die." The case was adjourned until 9 May.

Mr Rodgers, who is being detained under the Mental Health Act, has not eaten properly since Christmas Eve and was sectioned after three weeks of starvation.

Rodgers has entered an alliance with himself that he is eating just enough to stay alive to avoid being force fed Stephen Ferguson

He was later moved from prison to a secure unit in Leicestershire.

Mr Ferguson added: "The real reason that has prompted his transfer is that he had been for some time refusing food and had started refusing water and was therefore within a couple of days of death."

He told the court that if Mr Rodgers had continued to starve himself he would have been force fed by staff at the secure unit.

"Because of the fear of that potential process, Rodgers has entered an alliance with himself that he is eating just enough to stay alive to avoid being force fed."

Mr Justice Nelson later adjourned the case for a further hearing in May, when Mr Ferguson said there may be some "significant progress".