Jordan Tams, a convicted murderer aged 18, has passed away while being held at HMP Deerbolt, a young offender institution in Barnard Castle, County Durham. The Prison Service has confirmed his death on October 18 and stated that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate the circumstances, as is protocol for all deaths in custody.
Tams, formerly 17, was part of a trio of teenagers found guilty of the brutal murder of Gary Belfield at Newcastle Crown Court in December. The victim, 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.
Following his involvement in the murder, Tams, residing at Wesley Court, Felling, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years, according to reports from Chronicle Live. Another individual in his twenties was also injured during the incident but managed to recover fully. Tams, along with his accomplices Leandro Lopes, 18, and Kriesha Stroud, 15, were publicly named in January after reporting restrictions were lifted during their trial.
A spokesperson from the Prison Service expressed, “HMP Deerbolt prisoner Jordan Tams passed away on 18 October 2025. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct a thorough investigation, as per standard procedure.”
At the time of the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Deavin of Northumbria Police commented, “This case has been truly tragic, and my sympathies go out to Gary’s family and loved ones during this devastating period. The lack of remorse displayed by the perpetrators during the trial has only added to the suffering of the victim’s family.”
Deavin added, “Although no sentence can undo the pain caused by Gary’s death, I hope that the verdict brings some closure. We must unite to combat violence and knife crime and prevent further tragedies from occurring in our communities.”