Prisoner who told guards 'I've killed my padmate' found guilty of murdering cellmate at HMP Stoke Heath

From the Newshound archive · first published 25 September 2026 · last updated 26 September 2026.

Jonathan Alcide, 36, was unanimously convicted of murder by a Stafford Crown Court jury after more than nine hours of deliberation, showing no emotion as the verdict was delivered. Alcide had strangled Neil Ashby, 49, in their shared cell at HMP Stoke Heath in Shropshire on the night of 30 June or in the early hours of 1 July 2025, then calmly rang the cell buzzer to alert staff. A prison officer described Alcide as "eerily nonchalant" after he told them "I've killed my padmate." He will be sentenced on 17 November.

Ashby's body was discovered on his bed bearing the words "They killed us" written on his back — he had repeatedly warned fellow prisoners that he feared for his life.

Sally Howes KC, prosecuting, put it to the jury that this was a "cold-blooded, deliberate murder" planned days in advance — Alcide had sought a sick note claiming severe PTSD a week before the killing.

Fellow inmates recalled Ashby as "quiet and decent" and said he had taken Alcide meals to their cell after Alcide stopped leaving his room and started reading the Koran in the weeks leading up to the murder.