A man who was facing allegations of distributing indecent images of children has died in prison.

Paul Vines, 41, was remanded in custody facing a series of charges including causing a child under the age of 13 to look at images of sex.

But it is thought Vines took his own life in Bristol Prison last month after being remanded in custody by magistrates in Chippenham.

The case had been transferred to Swindon Crown Court but Vines, of Kellaways, Chippenham, died before he was due to appear there.

It was alleged that he had distributed and possessed indecent images of children and incited a child to watch or look at an indecent image.

After a death certificate was shown to him Judge Tim Mousley QC indicated that the file should be marked in the usual way.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Paul Vines was found unresponsive in his cell at HMP Bristol at 9.13am on Wednesday, 10 January, 2015.

"Paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

"Every self-inflicted death is a tragedy and we make strenuous efforts to learn from each one.

"As with all deaths, the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation.”