A MAN arrested on suspicion of trying to kill his wife at Toffs nightclub, York, has died in custody while awaiting trial, it emerged today.

Stephen John Starkie, 55, had been committed to York Crown Court accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause bodily harm to Mary Starkie and was expected to appear there on June 9.

But he died in hospital on Sunday of natural causes while on remand at a prison near Hull.

Father-of-two Starkie was arrested shortly after his 26-year-old wife was stabbed on the dance floor of the Toft Green club in the early hours of Saturday, February 19.

She was treated at York District Hospital for wounds to her thigh, forearm, chest and thumb. Starkie had originally been due to appear before York Magistrates Court yesterday for committal to crown court on a charge of attempted murder.

But the case was brought forward to an earlier day and the charge was amended to causing grievous bodily harm.

Starkie, of Pottery Lane, Heworth, York, had been remanded in custody since his arrest on February 19, despite at least one application for bail.

At the time of his death, he was an inmate at The Wolds Prison, near Hull.

He died at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham.

A coroner's office spokeswoman said that although he had died of natural causes and there were no suspicious circumstances, an inquest would be held as he had been a prisoner at the time of his death.

The inquest was opened at Hull and will be resumed at a later date, she said.

Shortly after his death, a funeral notice appeared in the Evening Press describing him as the "much-loved husband" of Mary.