MIDWIFE murder suspect Michael Stirling was left cowering in his jail cell after being battered while on remand.

The attack at Dovegate jail, Staffordshire, came hours before his court hearing over the killing of Samantha Eastwood.

7 Michael Stirling, accused of murdering Samantha Eastwood, was left cowering in his jail cell after being battered while on remand Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

7 Samantha Eastwood's body was found eight days after she went missing after leaving work at Royal Stoke University Hospital Credit: BPM Media

Sources say Stirling suffered cuts and bruises in Tuesday’s assault and was moved to another part of the prison soon after.

A source said Stirling, 32, was left “on his knees” by the attack.

They added: “It was a proper beating. He came into the jail after his arrest and was terrified. A prisoner came to his cell and attacked him.”

Stirling — the brother-in-law of Samantha’s ex-fiance — was well enough to appear at Stafford crown court via videolink yesterday.

7 Michael Stirling, far right, is the brother-in-law of Samantha’s ex, second left, and is accused of her murder

Police confirm Samantha Eastwood’s body found as devastated family issue heartbreaking statement as they thank those who ‘tried their best’

He has been charged with murdering the midwife, 28. Wearing a grey T-shirt and fluorescent prison tabard, he spoke only to confirm his name, age and nationality.

Judge Michael Challinor told him he will appear in person at Northampton crown court on October 5 for a plea hearing.

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Trial has been provisionally set for February 4, 2019.

Stirling was arrested when Samantha’s body was found eight days after she went missing after leaving work at Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Eyes taped, body stuffed in a duvet and dumped in a grave — midwife's horrifying end

7 CCTV footage issued by Staffordshire Police which shows missing midwife Samantha Eastwood, left, leaving work Credit: PA:Press Association

MIDWIFE Samantha Eastwood’s body was found in a shallow grave with masking tape over her face and eyes, a court heard.

She had been wrapped in a single duvet before being dumped in a rural Stoke lane — where floral tributes have since been laid.

Officials said there was no evidence Samantha had been shot or stabbed and it will take six months for pathologists to offer an official cause of death.

The graphic details of the midwife’s killing were revealed at Stafford crown court yesterday as Michael Stirling, 32, stood accused of her murder.

7 Flowers were laid at the scene where Samantha Eastwood body was found at Tick Hill Lane Caverswall, Stoke on Trent Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Prosecutor Jonas Hankin said: “There is going to be a delay in how long this takes to bring to trial. I have spoken to the Home Office pathologist and it’s looking at least six months to produce a post-mortem report.

“The preliminary post-mortem produced no evidence of a gun shot, a stab wound or a penetrative wound. The examination is now looking at the deceased’s neck structure.”

He explained that experts from the University of Warwick will perform micro-CT analysis on the neck before examination by a bone structure pathologist.

Mr Hankin added: “Their two investigations will then be coalesced to see if there is any damage to the neck. The pathologist will need both these reports for the post-mortem and this will be six months.”

7 Colleagues of Samantha Eastwood gather round floral tributes at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire Credit: PA:Press Association

Stirling was told to appear in court in October to give a plea and a February trial date was set.

Samantha went missing on July 27 having finished work at the Royal Stoke University Hospital at 7.45am. A pal raised the alarm when she was not back after 7pm for her night shift.

It sparked a massive police search and the midwife’s body was found eight days later.

Stirling — the brother-in-law of Samantha’s ex-fiance John Peake, 34 — was arrested and charged.

7 Floral tributes and a police car outside the home of murder victim Samantha Eastwood Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

His dad Stephen, 60, and a 28-year-old man were also held on suspicion of assisting an offender and later bailed.

Samantha’s younger sister Gemma visited her home on Monday to take away some of the flowers and tributes left by NHS pals, neighbours and well-wishers.

In a statement, the family thanked “all the people who followed Samantha’s story and tried their best to help”.

A fund set up by friend Beth Taylor to cover the funeral costs had last night raised more than £11,500.