Martyn Bruce, one of three men who wore Scream masks during a fatal samurai sword attack in a Welsh pub, died of a drug overdose while serving a life sentence, according to a newly released report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
Details of the Murder
In 2006, Bruce, along with Aaron Kent and Mohammed Bin Nasser, murdered 36-year-old Lemy Bullock outside the Royal Exchange pub in Pill, Newport. The three attackers, all wearing masks from the Scream horror film franchise, set upon the father-of-three with a samurai sword. Mr Bullock was stabbed twice in the stomach and died of internal bleeding after being rushed to hospital.
At Cardiff Crown Court, prosecutor Gerard Elias said: “Lemy Bullock was ruthlessly cut down by Kent who was aided by his two co-defendants. They considered themselves above the law in Gwent.” The attack was motivated by Mr Bullock reprimanding the trio for beating up his cousin, Nicholas Griffiths.
Sentencing and Prison Death
Kent pleaded guilty to murder, while Bruce and Nasser were found guilty by a jury. Bruce, then 39 and from Courtybella Gardens in Pill, was handed a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 16 years. Kent received a minimum of 20 years, and Bin Nasser, described as the ringleader, was sentenced to a minimum of 24 years.
Bruce died on July 27, 2021, at HMP Parc in Bridgend at age 54. The ombudsman’s report, released after a much-delayed investigation, concluded the cause was an overdose of a psychoactive substance, likely the synthetic cannabinoid spice. Acting prisons ombudsman Kimberley Bingham wrote: “He had a long history of substance misuse and his use of psychoactive substances had resulted in seizures. We are concerned about the availability of drugs at Parc, which Mr Bruce had accessed on a number of occasions.”
Drug Issues at HMP Parc
The report highlights ongoing drug problems at Parc prison, where spice has been linked to several deaths in recent years. Some inmates have reportedly exchanged sexual favours for the drug. Ms Bingham noted: “We note the work that has been undertaken to address these issues as part of Parc’s local drugs strategy. As implementation continues and practice develops we hope that the supply of and demand for drugs are reduced.”
