An Army officer has died in an apparent suicide in a military prison.

Captain Paul Morris, 44, was found unconscious in a cell at the Military Corrective Training Centre in Berechurch Hall Road, Colchester.

He was being held under close arrest after going absent without leave from the Royal Army Medical Corps some years ago.

It is believed he was also facing allegations of indecently assaulting children.

He was arrested at Heathrow Airport when he flew in from Cyprus in October and taken to the MCTC.

On Sunday morning he was found in his cell and taken to Colchester General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A post mortem examination revealed he died from asphyxia.

The Army has launched an internal investigation. It confirmed Capt Morris was due to face a court martial for going AWOL but refused to say if he was facing further charges relating to indecently assaulting children.

A spokesman said: "An investigation into his death is being carried out by the specialist investigation branch of the Royal Military Police."

His next of kin has been informed. Essex Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and an inquest would be held.

A spokeswoman said: "There will be evidence gathered on behalf of the coroner who will decide whether it was suicide."

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