Why is Damien Ward in prison? Damien Ward is a prisoner who was already serving a sentence at HMP Fosse Way in Leicestershire when he fatally punched fellow inmate Dennis Green on 6 August 2025. Green died 15 days later from his injuries. Ward pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to an additional 7 years and 6 months at Leicester Crown Court on 6 March 2026.
Who Is Damien Ward?
Damien Ward was 36 years old at the time of the attack in August 2025. He was already a prisoner at HMP Fosse Way, a Category C prison in Leicestershire, when the fatal assault took place. HMP Fosse Way is one of the newer prisons in the UK estate, having opened in 2022 as part of the government’s capacity expansion programme. The original offence for which Ward was serving a sentence at the time of the attack has not been disclosed publicly.
Following the manslaughter conviction and additional sentencing in March 2026, Ward remains in the prison estate serving his extended sentence.
What Happened at HMP Fosse Way?
On 6 August 2025, CCTV cameras on the prison wing recorded the sequence of events that led to Dennis Green’s death. Footage showed Ward walking up to Green on the wing. Words were exchanged between the two men before Ward struck Green with a punch to the head. Ward then turned and walked away from the scene, while other prisoners and staff rushed to assist Green, who had collapsed.
Green was transferred to hospital suffering from a serious head injury. He died on 21 August 2025, 15 days after the assault. Prison staff immediately alerted Leicestershire Police, who launched a formal investigation into the death.
Who Was Dennis Green?
Dennis Green was 42 years old at the time of his death. He was a fellow prisoner at HMP Fosse Way. Details about the offence for which he was serving his sentence have not been made public. His death in custody triggered an automatic investigation by Leicestershire Police, and the matter was referred to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, as is standard practice following any death in custody in England and Wales.
Investigation and Guilty Plea
Leicestershire Police investigated the death and Ward was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. As Green’s condition deteriorated and he subsequently died, the charge was upgraded to murder. Ward was remanded in custody throughout the legal proceedings. His defence put forward a claim of self-defence, with Ward telling police he believed Green posed a threat to him over a debt — specifically, that Green had lent Ward vapes and Ward feared retaliation as a result.
The prosecution rejected this as a valid basis for self-defence, pointing to CCTV footage showing the one-sided nature of the assault. Ultimately, Ward entered a guilty plea to manslaughter at Leicester Crown Court on 30 January 2026. The plea was formally accepted by the prosecution based on the evidence available.
The Sentence Explained
On 6 March 2026, at Leicester Crown Court, Ward was sentenced to an additional 7 years and 6 months in prison for the manslaughter of Dennis Green. This sentence runs in addition to whatever term he was already serving at HMP Fosse Way at the time of the offence. In-prison violence resulting in death is treated with the utmost seriousness by the courts, and cases of this kind typically attract substantial additional custodial terms.
The case also highlights ongoing concerns about safety and conflict management within the prison estate. For information on how sentences are managed in the UK, including release on licence, see our guide to the Parole Board UK. If you have a family member in custody, our guides on how to book a prison visit and how to send money to a prisoner offer practical support information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Damien Ward in prison?
Damien Ward was already serving a prison sentence at HMP Fosse Way when he fatally punched fellow prisoner Dennis Green on 6 August 2025. Green died 15 days later. Ward pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to an additional 7 years and 6 months in prison on 6 March 2026 at Leicester Crown Court.
What happened to Dennis Green at HMP Fosse Way?
Dennis Green, aged 42, was a fellow prisoner at HMP Fosse Way who was struck by Ward during an altercation on the prison wing on 6 August 2025. He suffered a serious head injury and was transferred to hospital, where he died on 21 August 2025, fifteen days after the assault. His death was investigated by Leicestershire Police and referred to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
What was Damien Ward’s defence?
Ward told police that he acted in self-defence because he believed Dennis Green posed a threat to him over a debt involving vapes that Green had lent to Ward. The prosecution did not accept this as a valid self-defence claim, citing CCTV footage showing Ward initiating the physical contact. Ward ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter rather than proceeding to a murder trial.
What is HMP Fosse Way?
HMP Fosse Way is a Category C adult male prison located in Leicestershire. It opened in 2022 as part of the government programme to expand the UK prison estate. Category C prisons hold convicted prisoners who cannot yet be trusted in open conditions but who are unlikely to make a determined escape attempt. The prison is one of several new establishments built in recent years to address capacity pressures.
What happens when a prisoner dies in custody in the UK?
When a prisoner dies in custody in England and Wales, the death is automatically referred to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) for an independent investigation. The relevant police force also investigates any death that may involve criminal conduct by another person. The PPO produces a report with findings and recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in future. Next of kin are kept informed throughout the process.
