An inquest into the death of an inmate at Chelmsford Prison has been set for later this year.

Timothy Shaw, 34, was found in his cell face down on his bed on February 28.

He was deemed to be unconscious and unresponsive and an ambulance was called, an court heard as inquest proceedings were opened in Chelmsford this morning.

Paramedics attended and he was taken to Broomfield Hospital but died on March 2.

A provisional cause of death was given as "awaiting investigation" and coroner Caroline Beasley Murray requested a number of reports for the full inquest including a copy of the post mortem report and a histology report.

The hearing, which will sit with a jury, has been set for September 11, later this year.

Mr Shaw had admitted three counts of robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of shoplifting, taking a vehicle without consent and dangerous driving following a police pursuit in Basildon in January last year.