A man who poured acid over himself in the dock of a courtroom has died in hospital.
Marc Marshall had just been sentenced for fraud offences when he tipped the substance over himself at Inner London Crown Court in April.
The 54-year-old was reported to have been carrying a metal water bottle but CCTV footage is said to have shown him sipping from it as he went through security.
A female dock officer was also injured but did not need hospital treatment. Marshall was critically injured in the incident and died on Wednesday.
The BBC reported that Marshall’s case had already been delayed due to medical problems he suffered after stabbing himself in the neck when he was arrested in 2016.
The broadcaster added Marshall was heard screaming and wailing as he was sentenced to two years and four months in prison. A witness said: “It looked like he had glue on his skin.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: “We were sad to learn of the death of Marc Marshall and our thoughts are with his family.
“The safety and security of all court users is our priority. Since the incident we have reviewed search processes and now make sure defendants’ property is stored securely and out of reach while they are in the dock.”
Under the new security rules, defendants’ belongings are placed into a sealed recyclable property bag and those who want a drink must ask the court first.
The Met Police said Marshall’s next of kin had been notified, a post-mortem examination would take place in due course and his death was being treated as “unexplained”.
An investigation by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman has also been launched.