THE man charged with the murder of Jo Yeates is believed to have been placed on suicide watch at Long Lartin Prison, near Evesham.

A national newspaper reported that Dutch-born Vincent Tabak was being monitored around the clock at the Category A prison, in South Littleton, where it thought he is currently on remand.

According to an insider, staff there have been told to check the 32-year-old every 30 minutes throughout the day and night.

The insider said: "He has been placed under constant observation by the assessment care in custody team. He'll be escorted wherever he goes by two staff. Specialist psychiatrists will also be closely monitoring him."

Tabak was charged last Saturday with murdering Jo, 25, and remanded to Bristol's Horfield prison. But officials moved him from the city for his own safety due to the high-profile case.

The 6ft, 4in architectural engineer was initially taken to Gloucester but is then believed to have been transferred to Long Lartin.

He is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court again on Monday for a further procedural hearing although his trial is not expected for several months.

Tabak has not yet entered a plea to the charge of murdering Jo, who was found strangled and dumped at a roadside on Christmas Day.

The Ministry of Justice declined to confirm or deny the rumours. A spokesman said: “We cannot comment on individual cases.”