A murder trial has heard that a contract killer accused of murdering a child killer in prison was allegedly nicknamed the 'Wakefield Dexter', after a television character described as a vigilante serial killer who targets criminals.
Background of the Accused
Mark Fellows, 45, is already serving a whole life order for the murders of gangland kingpins Paul Massey and John Kinsella. He is one of three convicted murderers on trial for the murder of child killer Kyle Bevan at HMP Wakefield on November 4 last year. Fellows, along with David Taylor, 64, and Lee Newell, 57, all deny murdering Bevan.
The Victim: Kyle Bevan
Bevan, 33, was found dead in his cell having been stabbed 25 times. He had been convicted and sentenced for the murder of his stepchild in 2023 and was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years. He was considered a vulnerable prisoner at the jail, where there were tensions between such prisoners and the main prisoner population.
Prosecution's Case
Prosecutors allege the three defendants worked as a team and moved to Bevan's cell, where he was stabbed with an improvised weapon. Jason Pitter KC, prosecuting, suggested the murder may have been committed following a desire to be transferred. During a transfer, Taylor was allegedly heard shouting to Newell, 'Nice working with you and The Iceman.'
The 'Wakefield Dexter' Nickname
Jurors heard that Taylor allegedly referred to Fellows as the 'Wakefield Dexter'. The court was told that Dexter is a television series about a blood spatter analyst who leads a double life as a vigilante serial killer targeting criminals. Fellows, known as 'The Iceman', had previously murdered two gangland members and was effectively a contract killer.
Criminal Histories of the Defendants
Mark Fellows
Fellows was convicted of murdering a rival gang member with an Uzi sub machine gun outside his home in Salford on July 26, 2015, and another rival gang member on May 5, 2018, with a revolver while walking his dog. The victims were Paul Massey and John Kinsella. He is serving a whole life term.
David Taylor
Taylor has a previous conviction for murder, to which he pleaded guilty. The victim was an associate who had not been seen and was last in Taylor's presence. He initially denied the charge but pleaded guilty in January this year. He also has a conviction for attempted murder of a police officer at HMP Frankland on July 23, 2024, where he stabbed the officer with an improvised weapon during an interview. Taylor admitted the actions but denied intent to kill or cause serious harm, claiming he was set up by police.
Lee Newell
Newell was convicted of murder in 1989 at age 20, with the victim known to him. In February 2013, he and another person entered the cell of a prisoner convicted of murdering a child, leading to a hostage situation. The defendant was found dead from strangulation. Newell was convicted of murder and is serving a whole life term.
Trial Proceedings
Lead prosecutor Jason Pitter KC told the jury the prosecution had concluded. Barristers for all three defendants confirmed their clients did not intend to give evidence in their defence. Fellows, Taylor, and Newell, all of no fixed address, deny murder. The trial continues.
