Jonathan Alcide has been found guilty of murdering his cellmate Neil Ashby at HMP Stoke Heath after a jury reached a unanimous verdict following nine hours of deliberation. Ashby's body was found on his bunk with words written on his back and the cell wall; a post-mortem found death resulted from applied neck pressure. Defence experts offered conflicting opinions on Alcide's mental health. Sentencing is scheduled for 17 November.
Inmate Convicted After Cellmate Found Strangled at HMP Stoke Heath
The body of Neil Ashby, 49, was found at HMP Stoke Heath in Shropshire in July last year [BBC]
Jonathan Alcide, 36, has been found guilty of murdering his cellmate Neil Ashby, 49, at HMP Stoke Heath. A jury at Stafford Crown Court returned a unanimous verdict after nine hours of deliberation; sentencing is scheduled for 17 November.
Verdict and Sentencing
The trial heard Alcide denied murder, claiming he was not guilty by reason of insanity and arguing diminished responsibility. After weighing competing expert opinions on his mental state, jurors convicted him of murder. Judge Avik Mukherjee said he will sentence Alcide on 17 November and thanked jurors for their service, discharging them from future jury duty for life.
What Happened
Prison staff discovered Ashby's body on the bottom bunk at HMP Stoke Heath in the early hours of 1 July after Alcide rang the cell buzzer at 06:13 BST. Officers reported Alcide was calm and, when asked what had happened, told them: "I'm sorry boss, I've killed him." Words were written on Ashby's back and the cell wall, including "they killed us" and the phrases "I did not slay them" and "they killed us… help."
Evidence and Forensics
A post-mortem examination concluded Ashby died from applied neck pressure, most likely caused by a neck hold or a broad, soft ligature. Alcide was found with superficial cuts to his wrist and blood on his white shirt. Fellow prisoners described Ashby as "quiet and decent" and said he had warned others about Alcide's deteriorating mental state in the weeks before the attack.
Mental Health Evidence
Prosecutor Sally Howes KC told the court that a week before the killing Alcide had sought medical certification for severe post-traumatic stress disorder and paranoia. Defence experts gave differing accounts: one suggested a severe depressive episode with psychosis, while another identified a possible delusional disorder, ongoing mental and behavioural disorders linked to prior cannabis dependence, and paranoid delusions. Alcide reportedly told a forensic psychologist after his arrest that he was an "angel turned into demon."
Reaction
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Rondel described Ashby's death as a "violent and senseless attack" and expressed condolences to the victim's family. The case has prompted attention to prisoner welfare and the monitoring of inmates with apparent mental-health difficulties.
Key facts: Alcide convicted of murder; victim Neil Ashby, 49; death by applied neck pressure; sentencing on 17 November.
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