A man described as a 'contract killer' who murdered two gangland figures has now been accused of fatally stabbing a child killer in prison, a jury has heard. Mark Fellows, 45, known as the 'Iceman', was already serving a life sentence when he allegedly killed 33-year-old Kyle Bevan alongside David Taylor, 64, and Lee Newell, 57, at HMP Wakefield.
Details of the Alleged Murder
Bevan was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years for the murder of his stepchild in 2023. He was found dead in his cell after being stabbed 25 times. Leeds Crown Court heard that Bevan was classified as a 'vulnerable prisoner' (VP) in the high-security prison, where there were 'tensions' between VPs and other 'main' inmates.
The prosecution alleges that Fellows, Newell, and Taylor armed themselves with at least one prison-made 'shiv' and repeatedly stabbed Bevan. They then left him 'face down, partially covered on his mattress' in his cell. Afterwards, the three men were reportedly in a 'job done mood', with Fellows returning to Bevan's cell to ensure the body would not be discovered immediately. All three defendants deny the murder charge and are currently on trial.
Prison Staff Testimony
Stephen Hoe, a custodial manager at Wakefield in charge of A wing where the men were housed, testified on Thursday. He described the prison as a 'mixed cohort' with about 77% of inmates being vulnerable prisoners. Under questioning from prosecutor Jason Pitter KC, Hoe agreed that the profile of main prisoners had changed, now including 'gangland murderers and the like'. He noted 'tensions' existed and that 'mains didn't like the VPs'.
Regarding Fellows, Hoe said he understood the defendant was a 'member of an organised crime gang' and known as the 'Iceman' in media reports. Hoe believed the nickname stemmed from Fellows having 'killed two gangland members' and that he was 'in effect a contract killer'. Hoe testified that Fellows got along with staff and a 'select few prisoners' but avoided sex offenders and vulnerable prisoners. He also noted Fellows had requested a prison transfer.
Hoe identified Newell as a category A prisoner serving a whole life tariff for murder. Newell worked in the prison servery and spoke to vulnerable prisoners only on a 'needs must' basis. Hoe described Newell as 'happy spending time by himself' and noted he had previously lost an eye after being attacked by another inmate. Fellows was also classified as a 'high risk' category A prisoner due to his offences.
About Taylor, Hoe said he had not been at Wakefield long and knew little about him. Hoe confirmed there had been 'another killing' at the prison: Ian Watkins died there on October 11 last year. Under cross-examination by Nicholas Johnson KC, representing Fellows, Hoe agreed that Watkins' death had 'significant effects' on the prison. Watkins was a prisoner convicted of offences against children.
Fellows' Background and Prison Role
Johnson asked if Hoe was aware that Fellows had 'murdered two gangland kingpins... in the north west area', specifically naming Paul Massey and John Kinsella. Hoe recalled Paul Massey as a 'Salford gangster' but not John Kinsella. He agreed that Fellows was serving a whole life order for those murders. The court heard that Fellows worked in the servery, handling menus rather than serving meals, and had 'trusted' roles including cleaning staff areas and Hoe's office. Fellows was 'vocal in his thoughts' about vulnerable prisoners but interacted with them as part of his duties. Hoe noted Fellows had 'very severe OCD' and issues with 'germs and cleanliness', and also had a colostomy bag, making him 'concerned about potential infection'. Fellows and Newell would 'sometimes talk' but did not appear to be close friends.
The trial before Mrs Justice McGowan continues.
