AN inquest into the death of a Barrow father who died in prison continues today.

Richard Scott Green, 23, was found hanging in his cell at HMP Haverigg, near Millom, in May last year - six months into a 48 month term for burglary.

The hearing, at County Hall, in Kendal, heard this morning that the father of one, from Broad Close, Barrow, had harmed himself on two previous occasions - stabbing himself in the stomach in 2007 and taking an overdose in September 2013.

A post mortem report from pathologist Dr Alison Armour found Green had no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death, other than his prescribed medication for diabetes.

Other witnesses to appear before senior coroner for Cumbria Mr David Roberts were prison officer Andy Baynes - who stated Green had seemed in ‘good spirits’ when he arrived at the category C prison on Christmas Eve 2013 - days after the birth of his daughter.

But the court was also told detailed records showing his previous incidents of self harm were not accessed during reception interviews - with a summary sheet from his time in custody in Preston, stating there were no immediate concerns about his risk of self harm or suicide, used in the assessment instead.

Mr Roberts was also told Green had answered 'no' when asked if he had previously self harmed by Mr Baynes and nurse Deborah Nelson.

The hearing, which is expected to last nine days, continues.