A MAN who caught Covid whilst on trial for murder has died, an inquest heard.

Poole resident Christopher Stocks, 54, was accused of fatally stabbing Gary Ballett on August 9 last year.

The trial was being held at Salisbury Crown Court until Stocks, of Trinidad House in Rossmore Road, caught the virus.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard that his health deteriorated before his death at Royal Hampshire County Hospital on March 10.

He was admitted from Winchester Prison on February 12 after showing symptoms. According to medical practitioner Dr Matthew Rose who previously treated Stocks, the illness led to multi-organ failure.

A post mortem was not conducted.

Area coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp adjourned the full inquest to November 29.

During the trial at Salisbury Crown Court on February 8, a section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 was put in place, meaning the Echo was unable to report on proceedings.

This would have been removed at the end of the trial.