A SEX attacker hung himself at Winchester Prison after being moved to a single cell, an inquest heard.

Jean Duda, 44, had recently begun a 15-year prison sentence when he was found dead in his cell on September 26, 2011.

A coroner's court in Winchester today (OCT 16) was told that Duda, originally from France but who later lived in Portsmouth, had spent a period of time under “constant” observation due to risk of suicide.

He later appeared to improve and prison staff considered him less likely to harm himself.

Another inmate, child sex abuser Mark Brito, now based at HMP Isle of Wight, told the hearing he had befriended Duda while in Winchester Prison.

He said Duda “felt victimised” when, following a dispute with his cellmate, he was moved to his own room the night before his death.

At some point overnight on September 26, 2011, he hung himself and was found by prison officers shortly before 8.30am.

A jury returned a verdict of suicide, noting that suicide notes left by Duda, one of which was addressed to the prison governor, said he intended to kill himself and that he was “at peace” with his decision.

The verdict comes in the wake of news that primary healthcare services at HMP Winchester will now be the responsibility of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.

CNWL has been dealing with drug abusers at Winchester since October 2012, and prison chiefs say the latest move will provide “more comprehensive” healthcare.