A PRISONER who collapsed in his cell died due to a heart failure, an inquest heard.

Christopher Garitty, was found unresponsive at Winchester Prison just days after being incarcerated.

He was accused of domestic violence and appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates Court before being remanded in custody.

The 54-year-old from Havant died two days before he was due to reappear before the court on a charge of assault by beating.

While undergoing routine checks on October 12, 2015, officers found him on the floor of his cell not responding to calls.

The alarm was raised and despite numerous attempts by officers and ambulance staff to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pathologist Dr Basil Pardue told Winchester Coroner’s Court the prisoner had a history of heart problems and had recently undergone surgery.

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of death due to natural causes.