A Colombian double murder accused who died while on remand at High Down prison committed suicide, an inquest has heard.

Woking Coroner’s Court was told the body of Christian Gomez-Remolina was found hanging from a window in his cell on June 13.

The 26-year-old was being held in the Sutton prison while he waited for a court appearance to face the double murder charge.

But he had been targetted by a gang inside High Down who “taxed weaker prisoners” for food, cigarettes and other contraband, the inquest heard.

This culminated in a fight in Gomez-Remolina’s cell involving at least five other prisoners two days before he hanged himself.

Anthony Monger, a fellow inmate at High Down, told the court about another incident on the night Mr Gomez-Remolina died.

He said: “Christian was standing on one side of the landing near our cells. The gang who had been trying to intimidate him were standing opposite him.

“Christian motioned to one of the gang to go into the showers for a straightener, to sort it out. They went in and the rest of the gang followed them.

“I was concerned that Chris would have to defend himself. I wasn’t worried about his safety. But then they all came out of the shower.”

Forensic psychologist Dr Claire Dunkley said she did not see anything that suggested Gomez-Remolina was suffering form mental illness.

She said: “As a trial approaches the outcome can weigh heavily on their minds. He would’ve been looking at a life sentence if found guilty yet, based on his demeanour, I still find the act relatively inexplicable.”

Another witness Karl Williamson, an independent fatal incident investigator, said the bullying was a “side issue” and Gomez-Remolina was more concerned about his trial and his family back in Colombia whom he missed “enormously”.

Coroner Dr Karen Johnson said the evidence strongly pointed towards suicide as Mr Gomez-Remolina was alone in his cell when his body was found.

She said: “I am directing you to two potential conclusions. Either you decide on a verdict of suicide where you are content Mr Gomez-Remolina killed himself. If you are unsure of this, the only other option you have is that of an open verdict.”

The jury of five women and four men took three hours to reach a majority decision and recorded a verdict of suicide.

• Do you know more? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.