A man accused of murdering his cellmate allegedly expressed paranoid thoughts and told the victim, "I'm worried I'm going to strangle you," before killing him, according to court proceedings. Neil Ashby, 49, was found dead in his cell at HMP Stoke Heath in Shropshire in July last year. His body was discovered with the words "They killed us" written on his back on his bed, which he shared with fellow prisoner Jonathan Alcide, 36. Mr. Ashby had reportedly raised concerns about Alcide's mental health in the weeks leading up to his death, according to testimony at a trial at Stafford Crown Court. Alcide, who alerted prison staff to Mr. Ashby’s death by ringing a buzzer at 6:12 a.m. on July 1 and stating, “I’ve killed my padmate,” denies murder. He claims he is not guilty by reason of insanity and instead guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Prosecution counsel Sally Howes KC told the jury that Alcide admits to killing Mr. Ashby through a neck compression but insists it was not premeditated. However, the prosecution argues the killing was a “cold-blooded, deliberate murder” planned in advance. Before the incident, Alcide had asked the prison doctor to certify him as unwell due to "severe post-traumatic stress disorder and paranoia." After his arrest, he told a forensic psychologist he felt like an "angel turned into demon." Fellow inmates described Mr. Ashby as "quiet and decent" and a "nice lad" who had refused multiple cell transfers despite his concerns about Alcide’s mental state. Mr. Ashby had been bringing meals to Alcide after the latter stopped leaving his room. He reportedly told others that Alcide had begun reading the Koran, was scared of God, and had suicidal thoughts. On June 30, Mr. Ashby told another prisoner that Alcide had said, "I'm worried I'm going to strangle you, Neil." Mr. Ashby had spoken to his mother on the phone at 6:10 p.m. that day and "seemed fine," but did not call her at 8:30 p.m. as he usually did. His body was found on his bottom bunk after Alcide summoned a prison officer. There were messages written in pen and blood on the cell walls, including "I did not slay them" and "they killed us... help." A post-mortem found Mr. Ashby died from neck pressure, likely from a neck hold or a soft ligature. The court will now determine Alcide’s state of mind at the time of the killing. The trial continues.