AN alleged repeat paedophile’s cell mate fell out of his bunk and died just days before the convicted sex offender was due before the judge, Swindon Crown Court heard.

Darren Brazier, 38, formerly of Thresher Drive, appeared before the court on Monday. He had been expecting to enter pleas to allegations he had breached a sexual harm prevention order by messaging an under-18 between December 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020, had sent a video of himself masturbating to a 14-year-old, incited the girl to perform a sex act upon herself and made an indecent pseudo-photograph of a child.

He has already admitted other breaches of the sexual harm prevention order and breaching a suspended prison sentence imposed by the crown court in April last year.

Appearing in court over video link from Winchester prison, Brazier told the judge he had private funding and wanted to be represented by new lawyers. Nicholas Wragg, for the new firm Stone King, asked for the judge to adjourn the plea hearing so he could have a conference with his new client.

He said the death of Brazier’s cell mate a few days before the hearing had had a “disturbing effect” on the defendant.

The judge adjourned the case to October 20.