A MAN found dead in prison was suffering psychiatric problems while awaiting trial on a murder charge, it has been revealed.

There were worries about the state of mind of Ian Holms while in Winchester prison as his trial loomed for the alleged murder of girlfriend Karen Trivett.

Holms, 41, of Albert Street, Gosport, was found dead in his cell early yesterday morning three weeks before his trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Assessments of Holms's mental state were due to be made by his defence team and by the Crown Prosecution Service.

He strongly denied the murder on May 15, at the Albert Street home he shared with Ms Trivett. He told police and his lawyers he could not remember crucial moments leading to her death.

Detectives were anticipating a psychiatric report might say Holms was unfit to face trial. If, on the other hand he was adjudged fit to face trial, then police expected his defence team to suggest he change his plea, from not guilty to the charge of murder to guilty of

manslaughter.

Because of Holms's memory blanks, detectives had to concentrate on other evidence to build their case.

They were planning to rely heavily on forensic evidence from specialists in matching bruises and other body marks to the causes.

Ms Trivett's neck and body were bruised, indicating her neck had been severely compressed by hands and stamped on. She also had two broken ribs. It was the prosecution's case that Holms caused the injuries from which she died. Ms Trivett died in an ambulance after she was resuscitated.

The court was due to hear Ms Trivett's death happened after she and her boyfriend returned from a night drinking heavily in Gosport.

He blamed her bruising partly on a fall and on a street fight she allegedly had with women.

According to him, the couple stripped off for a romantic evening back home and she insulted him. Then they fought.

Ms Trivett leaves seven-year-old daughter Samantha, who is living with her mother's parents.

An inquest into Holms's death will be held at a later date.

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