Convicted fraudster Linsey Cotton has died of natural causes after collapsing in her prison cell.

The 33-year-old was jailed for three years in October last year after admitting to a cruel con that led to a mother and daughter committing suicide.

Margaret McDonough, 53, and her daughter Nicola, 23, died in an apparent suicide pact after Cotton had told them they could be jailed for breaking a confidentiality agreement relating to a fictitious court case.

Cotton tricked Michael McDonough, 33, out of £5,000 and then tried to extort £5,500 from his mother Margaret and her daughter Nicola, 23, from Paisley.

Cotton told the mother and daughter they faced 20 years in jail for breaching a non-existent confidentiality clause.

The tragic and bizarre story emerged during a case at Paisley Sheriff Court. 

Cotton collapsed in her cell at Saughton Prison yesterday and was transferred to hospital where she died of natural causes.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Police in Edinburgh are investigating after the death of a 33-year-old woman prisoner from HMP Saughton on Sunday morning.

"A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal."