A man accused of killing his ex-partner who had been missing for three years told prison staff he was relieved to finally be behind bars, an inquest has heard.

Stuart Williamson, 56, died while on remand at HMP Norwich awaiting trial for the murder of Diane Douglas whose body was discovered buried in the grounds of an isolated farmhouse in Colton.

Norwich Evening News: Forensic officers at Meadow farm, Colton, as they search for the body of murder victim Diane Douglas.Forensic officers at Meadow farm, Colton, as they search for the body of murder victim Diane Douglas. (Image: Archant)

An inquest into his death was told on Tuesday (December 13) that on arrival in prison he had been placed into a monitoring process for prisoners identified as being at risk of suicide or self-harm.

But mental health nurse Emmanuel Popoola, who carried out an assessment, said he had denied having any suicidal thoughts or plans. 

“During the review Stuart was very pragmatic and appeared to understand his offence and the reason he was on remand at HMP Norwich,” he said in a statement. 

“He expressed some kind of relief that he was now in prison.” 

Norwich Evening News: Diane Douglas, of Colton, near Norwich, who Stuart Williamson was accused of having murderedDiane Douglas, of Colton, near Norwich, who Stuart Williamson was accused of having murdered (Image: Norfolk Police)

Mr Williamson, who lived at Notts Road in Norwich, was arrested in Wales on October 30 last year and charged with the murder of Ms Douglas - who had been missing since December 2018.

The inquest has heard he was found unresponsive and heavily bleeding in his cell on December 29 and died from a self-inflicted neck wound.

Nathan Holmes, a supervising officer at HMP Norwich, told the inquest jury during three assessments on November 14, 16 and 19, Mr Williamson had “raised no concerns of self-harm or ending his life by way of suicide”.

He said: “I asked Mr Williamson when did you last have thoughts of self-harm and he said it was around three years prior to coming into custody, a short time after he had committed the offence, that was the terminology he used to me.”

Norwich Evening News: 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)

Mr Holmes admitted he had been unaware that Mr Williamson had been reported missing twice in the days before his arrest, on one occasion admitting going to a north Norfolk beach intending to drown himself.

He said after a review the assessment process had continued due to upcoming potential suicide “triggers” including court appearances and video links with his legal team. 

However, Mr Williamson was moved to “minimal observations” with checks on his welfare twice in the morning, afternoon and evening and five times at night. 

The inquest is expected to last eight days.