A MAN was found hanged in Bournemouth public toilets four days after escaping from prison, an inquest opening heard yesterday.

Escapee Benjamin Steven Murly was discovered by members of the public in the disabled cubicle of the toilets in East Overcliff Drive on Saturday 21 December 2013.

Evidence of drug use was found at the scene and paramedics confirmed the 35-year-old was deceased at 1.23pm.

Dorset Police attended the incident and a spokesperson said: “At 1pm on Saturday December 21 we received a report of a sudden death at the toilets opposite the Carlton Hotel.

“Officers attended the scene but there were no suspicious circumstances.”

Consultant Pathologist at Poole Hospital Dr Hussein confirmed the death was by hanging.

Murly had escaped from Ford Open Prison in West Sussex on December 17.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We will consider the findings of the inquest to see whether any lessons can be learned.

“The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will also be investigating this death, and we will consider any relevant recommendations from that investigation too.”

In July 2013 Benjamin Steven Murly admitted failing without reasonable excuse to surrender to custody at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court having been released on bail.

He was fined £50 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.

Murly was originally from Bishop Auckland in County Durham but he resided at St Paul’s Nightshelter in Bournemouth for a period in 2013.

Coroner’s Officer Alan Young said: “His body was formally identified on Sunday December 22 and on December 24 Dr Hussein confirmed the cause of death was by hanging.”

A spokesperson from South Western Ambulance service said: “We received the call at 1.15pm and two crews were sent to the scene.”

Investigations are ongoing and the inquest has been adjourned until February 27.