A builder on trial for the brutal murder of his estranged wife has been found dead in his cell.

Nicholas Bailey, 58, was accused of strangling wife Susan at her home in Eastbourne in August last year, a month after she left him.

Bailey, known as Terry, had been due to continue giving evidence today at Lewes Crown Court in the trial, which began on May 4.

He was found dead in his cell at Lewes prison by guards at 6.55am.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of death.

Jurors have been told how Bailey became suicidal immediately following his wife's death and attempted to take an overdose.

When that failed he asked his son Brian, 34, to kill him by running over him in his car.

That attempt also failed and Bailey asked Brian to batter him to death with a spirit level.

He recovered from his injuries and Brian broke down and contacted the police.

Bailey was arrested.

Yesterday Bailey spent two hours in the witness box, where he told the jury he was devastated when his wife left him.

He said he had wanted to commit suicide after his wife walked out on him while he was away on a golfing holiday in Portugal.

Mrs Bailey's body was found at her home in Channel View Road on August 17 by her daughter Tina Nicholls, 34, who had climbed in through a window after her mother failed to turn up for work for two days running at the Devonshire Park Hotel, in Carlisle Road.

During the trial the prosecution alleged the couple, who had been together since 1987, had a violent relationship and Bailey had murdered his wife in anger because she had finally left him.

He denied killing her and his defence team was expected to suggest to the jury Mrs Bailey had been murdered by a burglar.

Bailey had been due to continue giving evidence today and be cross-examined.

Brian Bailey, 34, who lived in Gilbert Road, Eastbourne - the same street as his father - has admitted two charges of aiding and abetting his father's attempt to commit suicide.

He had been due to be sentenced after the murder trial ended.