Prisoner killed fellow inmate over vape debt

A prisoner who murdered a fellow inmate in a dispute over a vape debt has been jailed for life.

Jordan Neale, 27, punched Gareth Jones, 42, a number of times at HMP Peterborough in a six-second attack in July 2024, having effectively trapped him in his cell, the city's crown court heard.

Jones later died, and the court was told the evidence showed it was "clear and obvious" that the jail was understaffed that day.

Sentencing him to a minimum of 16 years and six months, Judge Sean Enright said, "fighting had become a way of life" for Neale.

Prosecutor Charles Myatt told the court Neale, who was a "considerably larger individual, "followed Jones into his cell and blocked his way out.

He said Jones was subjected to a "minimum of 10 impacts" before he later died in hospital.

Mr Myatt told the court Neale had a "long list of previous convictions", including for battery, threatening behaviour and harassment.

Sally Hobson, mitigating, said the attack lasted "a maximum of six seconds".

She said Neale's "default was to use his fist" but said he had been in contact with the victim's family "with a view to assisting them to deal with the consequences of his actions".

Speaking about his state of mind, Ms Hobson said prior to the attack, Neale had stopped using the drug spice while on remand, and it was "well known many of the prisoners were using" that.

She added it was "clear and obvious that the prison appeared to be understaffed" on the day of the incident.

As well as being found guilty of murder, Neale was also sentenced for other incidents.

He admitted two counts of grievous bodily harm without intent on two separate victims, as well as stalking and battery of his ex-partner.

Judge Enright said he had seen videos of Neale assaulting people "with a ferocity and expertise I have not seen in many a year".

He said an apology offered to Jones's family during the trial was a "rehearsed piece of evidence".

After the hearing, Det Sgt Mark Dollard described the level of violence as "appalling", adding: "Jordan Neale has essentially killed a man over a small vape debt.

"The level of violence he has shown was completely disproportionate for the argument that they had."

The prison operator Sodexo has been contacted for comment.

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