Damien Ward, a prisoner at HMP Fosse Way, was jailed for an additional seven and a half years in March 2026 after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of fellow inmate Dennis Green. Green was punched and fatally injured during a confrontation on the prison wing in August 2025, dying in hospital two weeks after the attack.
Who Is Damien Ward?
Damien Ward is a prisoner who was held at HMP Fosse Way, a Category C resettlement prison in Leicestershire, at the time of the incident. Ward was 36 years old when he was sentenced in March 2026. He was already serving a custodial sentence at the time of the attack on Dennis Green. Details of his original conviction have not been widely reported.
What Happened to Dennis Green at HMP Fosse Way?
On 6 August 2025, Damien Ward approached Dennis Green on the prison wing at HMP Fosse Way. According to CCTV footage reviewed by investigators, the two men exchanged words before Ward punched Green in the head. Green collapsed and was taken to hospital, where he died approximately two weeks after the assault from the injuries he had sustained.
Dennis Green was 42 years old at the time of his death. He was serving a 12-month custodial sentence for burglary at the time of the attack. He had no connection to Ward before the two men came into contact at the prison.
The Investigation and Prosecution
Leicestershire Police launched a murder investigation following Dennis Green’s death. Officers worked alongside the Prison Service to gather evidence, including the CCTV footage that captured the altercation. The footage proved to be significant in establishing what occurred on the wing.
Ward was subsequently charged and appeared at Leicester Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter rather than murder. The prosecution accepted this plea. Ward’s defence argued that he had acted in self-defence, claiming he believed Green had been threatening him in relation to a debt over vapes. However, given his guilty plea to manslaughter, the court accepted that he had caused Green’s death unlawfully.
The Sentence: Seven and a Half Years for Manslaughter
At Leicester Crown Court in March 2026, Damien Ward was sentenced to an additional seven and a half years in prison for the manslaughter of Dennis Green. This sentence was imposed on top of the custodial sentence he was already serving. As a result, Ward faces a significantly extended period of imprisonment before he will be considered for release.
The judge took into account Ward’s guilty plea, which was entered at an early stage of proceedings, as well as the nature of the attack and the fatal consequences for the victim. The sentencing guidelines for manslaughter in the UK take into account factors such as the degree of culpability, whether there was provocation, and the level of harm caused.
HMP Fosse Way and Violence in Prison
HMP Fosse Way is a relatively new prison in Leicestershire, designed as a resettlement facility to help prisoners prepare for release. Despite this purpose, like many UK prisons, it has not been immune to serious incidents of violence between inmates.
HMP Fosse Way holds adult male prisoners who are serving the latter part of their sentences. Violence in prisons across England and Wales remains a persistent issue, with assaults on prisoners and staff recorded regularly. Factors including overcrowding, drug use on wings, and disputes over debts are frequently cited as contributing to violent incidents behind bars.
The death of Dennis Green is a reminder of the dangers that can exist within the prison estate. Families of prisoners are encouraged to book prison visits to maintain contact with loved ones in custody, and support services are available for bereaved families following deaths in custody.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who killed Dennis Green at HMP Fosse Way?
Dennis Green was killed by fellow prisoner Damien Ward at HMP Fosse Way in August 2025. Ward punched Green in the head during an altercation on the prison wing, and Green died in hospital approximately two weeks later. Ward pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to an additional seven and a half years in prison in March 2026.
What sentence did Damien Ward receive for the killing at HMP Fosse Way?
Damien Ward was sentenced to an additional seven and a half years imprisonment at Leicester Crown Court in March 2026. This sentence was imposed on top of the custodial term he was already serving at the time of the attack. Ward had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier hearing.
Why was Dennis Green in prison at HMP Fosse Way?
Dennis Green was serving a 12-month custodial sentence for burglary at the time of his death at HMP Fosse Way. He was 42 years old when he was attacked by fellow prisoner Damien Ward on 6 August 2025. He had no prior connection to Ward before the incident.
What is HMP Fosse Way?
HMP Fosse Way is a Category C resettlement prison located in Leicestershire, England. It holds adult male prisoners who are serving the later stages of their sentences and is intended to help prepare inmates for release back into the community. The prison is run by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.
What is the difference between murder and manslaughter in UK law?
Murder in UK law requires proof that the defendant intended to kill or cause serious harm to the victim. Manslaughter applies where a person unlawfully causes the death of another without the specific intent required for murder, or where there are mitigating circumstances such as loss of control or diminished responsibility. In the Damien Ward case, the prosecution accepted a guilty plea to manslaughter rather than pursuing a murder charge.
