Convicted murderer Jordan Tams, aged 18, has passed away while in custody at HMP Deerbolt, a youth detention center located in Barnard Castle, County Durham.
The Prison Service confirmed his death on October 18 and stated that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate the circumstances, as is standard procedure for all custodial deaths. Tams, who was 17 at the time, was part of a trio of teenagers found guilty of the fatal stabbing of Gary Belfield, described as a “senseless” act, at Newcastle Crown Court in December.
Gary Belfield, a 40-year-old father of six originally from Manchester, was brutally stabbed 11 times at a residence on Elliott Drive in Gateshead on April 27 the previous year, resulting in his tragic death at the scene.
Tams, residing at Wesley Court in Felling, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years for his involvement in the murder, according to a report by Chronicle Live.
Another individual in their twenties sustained serious injuries during the incident but made a full recovery. Tams, alongside his accomplices Leandro Lopes, aged 18, and Kriesha Stroud, aged 15, were publicly identified in January after reporting restrictions were lifted following their sentencing.
A spokesperson from the Prison Service conveyed, “HMP Deerbolt inmate Jordan Tams passed away on October 18, 2025. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation in line with protocol for all deaths in custody.”
During the legal proceedings, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Deavin from Northumbria Police expressed, “This case has been a profound tragedy, and my sympathies go out to Gary’s family and loved ones who have endured immense anguish. The lack of remorse displayed by his killers during the court proceedings has added further pain to the family’s ordeal.”
Deavin continued, “While no sentence can alleviate the grief caused by Gary’s death, the conviction of his perpetrators brings a sense of closure. Violence has no place in our society, and we are dedicated to collaborating with partners to combat such crimes. The use of weapons that night irreversibly altered the lives of all involved. It is imperative for us all to unite in preventing future tragedies by addressing violence and knife-related offenses.”
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