A man accused of murdering his ex-partner killed himself in prison because he found the prospect of a long sentence “unbearable”, an inquest has heard.

Stuart Williamson, 56, died while on remand at HMP Norwich awaiting trial over the death of his former partner Diane Douglas whose body was discovered buried in the grounds of his farmhouse in Colton.

Eastern Daily Press: Police at the house in Colton where the body of Diane Douglas was foundPolice at the house in Colton where the body of Diane Douglas was found (Image: Newsquest)

An inquest, which began on Monday (December 12), heard he was found unresponsive and bleeding heavily in his cell on December 29, 2021, and died from a self-inflicted neck wound.

Jacqueline Lake, senior coroner for Norfolk, told a jury of six women and five men they would hear from prison workers and mental health practitioners about his state of mind in the days leading up to his death.

In a statement read at the inquest his sister, Dianne Collins, said: “A long sentence would be unbearable for Stuart and I feel he pre-planned his departure from this life.”

He was arrested in Wales on October 30, 2021, and later charged with the murder of Ms Douglas - who had been missing since December 2018.

Eastern Daily Press: Forensic officers in the grounds of the house in Colton where Stuart Williamson was accused of hiding the bodyForensic officers in the grounds of the house in Colton where Stuart Williamson was accused of hiding the body (Image: Newsquest)

Louise Alder, his partner after they met on an internet dating site in 2019, told the inquest he suffered depression and had previously attempted to take his own life.

He had gone missing twice in the days before his arrest, on one occasion walking into the sea on a north Norfolk beach intending to drown himself but had not been able to go through with it, she said in a statement. 

Recalling his arrest for murder, she said: “The shock of the police telling me he had been arrested and the charge was immense. It was very shocking to me because I just couldn't reconcile it with the man I knew and loved.”

She wrote and spoke to him on the phone in prison and hoped to talk to him face-to-face to get “a better understanding of what had happened”.

Eastern Daily Press: Stuart Williamson died in his cell in HMP Norwich awaiting trial for the murder of Diane DouglasStuart Williamson died in his cell in HMP Norwich awaiting trial for the murder of Diane Douglas (Image: Newsquest)

She added: “The time we spent together counted for a lot and I couldn't just walk away. I also wanted answers on what had happened for myself and others involved.”

The inquest, due to last eight days, is also expected to hear evidence about the prison’s suicide procedures and a broken phone in his cell that limited his communication with friends and family.

A separate inquest into the death of Ms Douglas is scheduled to take place in May.

Mr Williamson spent 30 years as a mental health nurse and then worked as a senior manager at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust before taking early retirement.