Paedophile baby rapist 'hanged himself' in cell after prison bounty put on his head

A man who was part of a paedophile ring that raped and drugged babies committed suicide in prison after inmates put a bounty on his head.

James King, formally known as Robin Hollyson, was found hanged in his prison cell on 15 January 2016 and died two days later in hospital.

The 31-year-old was just four months into a 24-year sentence for filming himself raping a three-month-old baby before sending the footage to fellow paedophiles. But after finding him dead in his cell a coroner was instructed to hold an inquest into his death.

A police investigation was launched as King's cell mate was found "covered in blood" after the incident whilst wearing King's watch, although a jury at the inquest into his death found that he had committed suicide.

It was stated by prisoner John Denham that inmates at HMP Bristol took out contracts to burn King or give him a "black eye or two."

In the days leading up to his suicide King's mother said another prisoner had been burned with sugar-filled water in an attack he feared was intended for him.

The inquest heard how King had suffered with anxiety and depression and had tried to kill himself before arriving at the prison.

King, from Luton, Bedfordshire, had also been placed on special observation three times as staff feared he would self-harm or commit suicide. After his death two suicide notes were found by police who decided there was "no foul play".

His mother said "During that visit James informed us of an incident in which a fellow prisoner had been sugared. That incident involved one of his co-defendants, Matthew. James suggested to us that the attack on Matthew was intended for him. I believe he was concerned and I believe he was told about the attack by another prisoner," according to the Mirror.

In September 2015 he was part of an online gang that was dubbed "evil beyond rational understanding".

Judge Julian Lambert said:"In the worst nightmare, from the very deepest recesses of the mind, at the darkest hour of the night, few can have imagined the terrifying depravity which you men admit."

The inquest heard that prison workers were called to King's cell around 9.20pm GMT where they found King unresponsive. They performed CPR on him but after being taken to Southmead Hospital he died two days later.

He died as a result of lack of oxygen to the brain caused by hanging and a jury of ten people returned a conclusion of suicide.