A Bradford man, accused of murdering his pregnant wife in a knife attack, was found hanging from the bars of his cell, an inquest heard today.

Father-of-two Kassa Osebu, 30, was found suspended from a bed sheet, the Leeds hearing was told.

The inquest jury heard that Osebu, an Ethiopian who had a three-year-old daughter and son of six, was a remand prisoner at Armley jail, Leeds, from July 4, 2007, and was charged with the murder of his wife, Maserat Tabesse, also 30, at their home in Ure Crescent, White Abbey, Bradford, five days before.

Mr Osebu died in his single cell on September 28, 2007.

He had been taken from police custody on July 4 to the health care wing of the prison with injuries to his hands sustained during the alleged killing. He was kept there for six weeks before he was deemed fit enough for an ordinary wing.

Psychiatric nursing sister Joanne White, who worked on the health care unit, told the inquest an Assessment of Custody Care and Treatment document, to support prisoners at risk of suicide or self- harm, had been set up for Mr Osebu, but that was closed two weeks later. A post-closure review did not take place, as would be normal.

Miss White said Mr Osebu was concerned about not being able to see his children and was tearful and emotional when discussing them. He was quiet but when he left the wing he was more positive, she said.

Health care officer Mark Cockram said he would talk to Mr Osebu while bathing and shaving him and said: “He was very tearful about his children. He wanted to see them. I felt he loved them very much indeed.”

Mr Cockram said that when he asked Mr Osebu if he felt like killing or harming himself, he would laugh and say no.

He said Mr Osebu talked about the offence and told him his wife was pregnant. “She told him it wasn’t his baby and that’s what started the fight with the knives.”

Prison officer Paul Proctor, who discovered the body, said there was no indication Mr Osebu had been bullied.

Detective Inspector Neil Beattie, who led the police investigation, was asked by Assistant deputy Coroner Melanie Williamson about suggestions of bullying of Mr Osebu by other prisoners. He said he was made aware of some allegations and the Prisons Ombudsman was investigating.

Det Insp Beattie said that no evidence of bullying came to light. There was anecdotal and unsubstantiated evidence that cleaning staff had divulged Mr Osebu was a sex offender, he said. The inquest continues tomorrow.