Attempted murder accused found dead (From Ledbury Reporter)

Attempted murder accused found dead

8:50am Friday 25th January 2013 in News By Gary Bills-Geddes

PEOPLE have reacted with sadness and anger after a man due to stand trial for attempting to murder his estranged wife and her partner in Ledbury was found dead in prison.

Peter Mason, aged 58, was found by staff at HMP Gloucester on Saturday night, the Prison Service said.

Shocked neighbours said Deborah Mason, her two young children and new partner Michael Longden were the quiet newcomers who kept themselves to themselves, setting up home in the Homend.

Near neighbour Margaret Watson said: “It is awful to hear of anyone’s death but I didn’t know the gentleman, and the family hadn’t lived here for very long.

“What happened in the summer was a shock. The whole thing has been very sad.”

Another neighbour, Joline Clefberg, said: “We never saw them. Obviously, when the attack happened, everyone was quite horrified.

“The rest of the family will now have to live with this.”

Mason appeared at Worcester Crown Court last year charged with the attempted murder of both Mrs Mason and Mr Longden outside their home. Both suffered stab wounds in the July 1 attack.

He denied the charges, and further offences of wounding with intent to cause them grievous bodily harm and of possessing a knife.

Mrs Mason’s two children, a boy and a girl, both attended Ledbury Primary School.

Headteacher Julie Rees said: “It is so sad for the children and Debbie. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time.”

The Ledbury Reporter understands the family moved to Scotland in November, having moved to Ledbury from the Nottingham area at some time in late 2011 or early 2012.

Mason was married for 10 years. Attempts at the prison to resuscitate him failed and he was pronounced dead a short time later. His death is the subject of an investigatio