Convicted murderer Jordan Tams, aged 18, has passed away while being held 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, as is protocol for all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation. Tams, who was 17 at the time, was part of a trio of teenagers convicted for the “senseless” killing of Gary Belfield at Newcastle Crown Court in December.
Gary Belfield, a 40-year-old father of six from Manchester, was fatally stabbed 11 times at a residence on Elliott Drive in Gateshead on April 27 the previous year.
Tams, residing at Wesley Court, Felling, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years for his involvement in the murder, as reported by Chronicle Live.
Another man in his twenties was also seriously injured during the incident but made a full recovery. Tams, along with Leandro Lopes, 18, and Kriesha Stroud, 15, were publicly identified in January following the lifting of reporting restrictions during their sentencing.
According to a spokesperson from the Prison Service, “HMP Deerbolt inmate Jordan Tams passed away on 18th October 2025. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate, as is standard procedure for all deaths in custody.”
At the time, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Deavin from Northumbria Police remarked, “This case has been a tragic one, and my sympathies are with Gary’s family and loved ones during this devastating period for them. The culprits have shown no remorse for their heinous act, making the trial a painful ordeal for the victim’s family.”
He added, “Although no sentence can alleviate the grief caused by Gary’s death, I hope that knowing his killers have been brought to justice will offer some closure. Violence has no place in our communities, and we are dedicated to collaborating with partners to combat such offenses. The repercussions of that evening’s events, fueled by weapon possession, have forever altered the lives of everyone involved. It is our collective responsibility to prevent further tragedies by uniting against violence and knife crime.”