A PRISON officer's plea hearing has been adjourned.

Paul Smith is charged with negligent manslaughter while working at HMP Rye Hill in Warwickshire.

The 39-year-old Warrington man appeared before Northamptonshire Crown Court on Friday.

He has been charged over the death of Michael Bailey, a 23-year-old drug dealer from Birmingham. Mr Bailey was found hanged in his cell in the vulnerable prisoners segregation unit last year. Mr Smith and three prison officer co-defendants charged with various offences will reappear before Northampton Crown Court on August 11.