Convicted murderer Jordan Tams, aged 18, has passed away while in custody at HMP Deerbolt, a young offender institution located in Barnard Castle, County Durham.
The Prison Service confirmed his death on October 18 and stated that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation into the circumstances, following the standard protocol for all deaths in custody. Tams, who was 17 at the time, was part of a trio of teenagers found guilty of the “senseless” killing of Gary Belfield at Newcastle Crown Court in December.
Gary Belfield, a 40-year-old father of six originally from Manchester, was fatally stabbed 11 times at a residence on Elliott Drive in Gateshead on April 27 of the previous year.
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 reports from Chronicle Live.
Another man in his twenties sustained serious injuries during the incident but later made a full recovery. Tams, along with co-accused Leandro Lopes, 18, and Kriesha Stroud, 15, were publicly identified following the lifting of reporting restrictions during their sentencing process.
A spokesperson from the Prison Service mentioned, “HMP Deerbolt inmate Jordan Tams passed away on October 18, 2025. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation, as is standard procedure for all deaths in custody.”
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Deavin of Northumbria Police commented at the time, stating, “This has been an extremely tragic case, and my thoughts are with Gary’s family and loved ones during this devastating period. The offenders have demonstrated no remorse for this appalling and despicable act.”
He added, “While no sentence can erase the pain of Gary’s death, the conviction of his killers may offer some closure. Violence has no place in our communities, and we are committed to collaborating with partners to combat such crimes. The repercussions of carrying weapons that night have irreversibly altered the lives of all involved. It is vital for everyone to unite in preventing further tragedies by combating violence and knife crime.”
