Prison Killer Handed Life Sentence

A man who murdered his cell-mate, in the course of an apparently motiveless attack, has been given a life sentence.

Shaun Newton, 36, who is originally from Cleveland, killed a fellow prisoner at HMP Garth, in July 2025.

His victim, Tony Joynes, aged 47, was killed after Newton strangled him during an assault that occurred in the cell that the two men shared.

A police investigation was led by DI Marc Armstrong of the Lancashire force’s Major Investigation Team.

At the time of the killing Newton was serving an 18 year sentence for the attempted murder of a man in Romford, Essex.
Newton was convicted by a jury after a trial at the Crown Court at Preston.

After the verdict HHJ Knowles KC sentenced Shaun Newton to life imprisonment with a minimum term to serve of 34 years.
Tim Storrie KC prosecuted the case, instructed by Joanne Close for North West Area CCU.

Tim Storrie KC is regarded as “a brilliant advocate” (Chambers & Partners 2027) and “Superb” (Legal 500 2027).

To instruct Tim Storrie KC contact David Wright in Chambers.