The boyfriend of Beckenham woman Paula Newman - who died in New Addington in November - overdosed in prison as he was set to face court this morning charged with her murder, it has emerged. 

Kane Boyce, 33, had been due to apply for bail at the Old Bailey today after being charged with killing the Beckenham 20-year-old on Thursday. 

But he missed the hearing after overdosing at High Down prison in Sutton. 

His condition is not thought to be life-threatening. 

Mr Boyce, of New Addington, was denied bail in his absence and is scheduled to enter a plea on April 7. 

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "A prisoner at HMP High Down was taken to hospital on Saturday, January 18. It would not be appropriate to any comment further."

Miss Newman was taken ill at a house in Dunsfold Way late on November 11 and died the next day of head injuries. 

Police arrested Mr Boyce and questioned him for three days following her death, before rearresting and charging him last week.