A dad-of-one killed himself at Wandsworth Prison days after his doctor said he should be transferred to a mental hospital, an inquest heard this week.

Mark Tate, 41, was seen pleading with a nurse for more medication on January 28, 2007. He was found dead at 6.10am the following morning, having hanged himself from his cell window.

He left a suicide note, addressed to his solicitor, which read: "Didn't do the crime, so won't do any more time - anywhere."

Mr Tate had a history of mental illness and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 1995, Westminster Coroner's Court heard on Wednesday.

He had been at the prison in Heathfield Road for two months, having been transferred from Belmarsh and Brixton as he awaited sentencing for criminal damage.

When he arrived he was assessed by a psychiatric nurse, who continued his medication but said he was "stable" and not showing an intention to harm himself.

Ten days before he died, a doctor who knew Mr Tate recommended he be transferred to a mental health clinic.

Prison officer Brian Mansaray described the moment he discovered the dead man when he began his morning rounds on the fourth floor of the prison on January 29.

He said: "He appeared to be standing by his window, as if to be looking out.

"I shouted his name and banged on the door but there was no response."

With his senior officer Andre Toppin he unlocked the cell and cut Mr Tate down, but he was absolutely stiff and cold.

"His neck was twisted and we saw there would be no airway to perform CPR," said Mr Mansaray.

Mr Tate, who lived in Lewisham, was single and had a 19-year-old son. His mother and his ex-partner attended the inquest.

The jury returned a verdict of suicide.

Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said: "I have been a coroner for 28 years and have dealt with over 100 deaths at Wandsworth. It is impossible to have a completely suicide proof system in a prison."