Man appears in court accused of murder at HMP Exeter
He's been remanded into custody
A 39-year-old man has been remanded into custody accused of murdering a fellow inmate at a prison.
James Desborough appeared before Exeter Magistrates' Court accused of killing 65-year-old Steven Kempster who died following an incident at HMP Exeter in Devon on September 15.
Desborough spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during a brief hearing before District Judge Stuart Smith.
The judge told him: "Mr Desborough this is a matter that can only be dealt with at the crown court, and I am sending it to Exeter Crown Court.
"The plea and trial preparation hearing will take place on October 16.
"I am remanding you into custody and a further hearing will take place on Friday September 19."
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said on Wednesday: "We received a report from the prison that Mr Kempster was found deceased within his cell at around 5.40am on Monday September 15.
"His next-of-kin have been informed."
Senior Crown Prosecutor Helen Phillips, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute James Desborough for the murder of Steven Kempster.
"Our prosecutors have established that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
"We have worked closely with Devon and Cornwall Police as they carried out their investigation."