Teen locked up for killing man dies in custody

18-YEAR-OLD WAS SERVING LIFE SENTENCE AT YOUNG OFFENDER'S INSTITUTE

- By OWEN YOUNGER Reporter

CONVICTED murderer Jordan Tams has died after being locked up, aged just 18 years old.

Tams was one of three teenagers found guilty of the murder of Gary Belfield at Newcastle Crown Court in December, and he passed away on October 18.

He was residing at young offender's institution HMP Deerbolt in Barnard Castle, County Durham, at the time of his death, with the Prison Service confirming that, as is the case with all deaths while in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will now investigate the circumstances.

Tams, of Wesley Court, Felling, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 26 years, for his part in the killing of the 40-year-old Gateshead man at a property on Elliott Drive.