A RECOVERING heroin addict hanged himself in his Hampshire prison cell three days into his sentence after going “cold turkey”, an inquest heard.

Peter Davison refused treatment in Winchester Prison and said he wanted to become “clean like his brother” the inquest was told.

The 39-year-old was days away from checking into Baytree detox unit, in his native Portsmouth, before his arrest in June last year.

He drank six litres of cider per day and had a history of using drugs including heroin and crack cocaine, said Sally Ruff, a recovery worker for Portsmouth City Council.

Shortly after he was jailed he stopped taking methadone, a painkiller helping him off heroin.

He also failed to attend some health appointments despite warnings of withdrawal, Winchester Coroner’s Court was told.

Mr Davison was found hanging by prison officer Andrew Heppell. He was already dead and no note was found.

Cellmate James Cannon said Mr Davison was “expecting trouble” after sleeping with another’s wife.

He also felt threatened by a prisoner to whom he owed £4,000, the inquest heard.

The jury returned a verdict of suicide. Senior central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short made no recommendations to improve the prison’s care or surveillance.