Prisoner, 35, denies murdering inmate at Shropshire prison as new trial date is set
Published 22nd May 2026, 06:00 BST
Case expected to last three weeks after death of 46-year-old
A prisoner has denied murdering an inmate at a Shropshire prison.
Jonathan Alcide, aged 35, was charged with murder after Neil Ashby was found dead in a cell at HMP Stoke Heath, near Market Drayton, on July 1 last year.
Alcide pleaded not guilty to murder at Stafford Crown Court. A new trial date was confirmed for September 1 this year at the same court, with a provisional date in November being vacated.
The trial is expected to last for three weeks. Alcide was remanded in custody.
An inquest into Mr Ashby's death was opened on July 7 last year.
The inquest heard that Mr Ashby, who was 46 and from Halesowen but born in Selly Oak, Birmingham, was a serving prisoner at HMP Stoke Heath.
The inquest was adjourned.