A prisoner who beat his cellmate to death using a broken chair leg has been jailed for at least 17 years.

The victim was attacked in their locked shared cell at HMP Belmarsh back in February 2020.

Stevie Hilden, 31, of no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, July 15.

On February 18, 2020, at around 5.30pm, prison officers were alerted to a fight that had broken out inside a locked cell.

The officers found 36-year-old Sundeep Singh Ghuman with serious injuries and carried out first aid.

Sundeep was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but died the following day.

A post-mortem examination found he had died from a traumatic head injury caused by a blunt object as well as suffering extensive bruising.

It is believed that Hilden used a wooden table leg to carry out the attack.

When he was arrested and interviewed about the incident, he refused to answer any questions and didn't provide an explanation to police.

Hilden was charged with murder due to the forensic evidence found at the scene.

On Monday, May 16, he was found guilty of murdering Sundeep.

He will serve a minimum of 17 years before being eligible for parole.

Detective Inspector Karen Bangs, the investigating officer, said: "Sundeep suffered a sustained attack that left him seriously injured and ultimately resulted in his death.

“My thoughts remain with his family as they continue to come to terms with their loss.

"This was a complex investigation in a challenging environment and I would like to thank the prison authorities for their support throughout the process.

"Hilden is a dangerous offender and he will now spend a considerable time in a high-security prison."

Sundeep’s mother, Harpal Ghuman, said: “On February 19 2020 my son was killed in a brutal and merciless way.

“To think of the pain and suffering Sandeep had to go through makes me very upset.

"Mr Hilden has shown no remorse for his actions.

“I do not want anyone else to go through the pain and loss that I have had.

“I have listened to all the evidence at court and wish to thank the prison officers, police officers and barristers for bringing justice for my son".

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