A convicted killer serving a life sentence with a minimum 30-year term faces a further 28-months behind bars for a slash assault on a fellow inmate at a top security prison.

Drug dealer Jamie Davison was found guilty of murder in July, last year, having overseen the punishment killing of a “customer” who he was chasing over an outstanding debt.

The victim was said to have been badly beaten in an attack by Davison and cohorts at an address he was lured to in Carlisle, in July 2020, before he was dumped and drowned in the River Caldew.

Mr Justice Nicholas Hilliard, the judge who sentenced then 26-year-old Davison, said he was responsible for masterminding the "savage murder" and ordered that he must serve a minimum of 30 years behind bars.

Read more: Killer Jamie Davison will serve at least 30 years - judge

During his trial, Carlisle Crown Court was told Davison was trying to make a point to those with outstanding drug debts of the consequences for not paying up, against a background of being pressured himself by those further up the chain to rain in those debts.

In recent weeks Davison has appeared three times at Durham Crown Court, via video link from top security Frankland Prison on the outskirts of the city, where he has been serving his sentence.

At a hearing on October 7, the now 28-year-old, of the Harraby area of Carlisle, admitted a charge of wounding with intent, arising from an incident involving a fellow inmate at the prison, on April 11 this year.

Paul Cross, prosecuting, told the sentencing hearing that Davison slashed the other prisoner across the face with a craft knife after approaching him from behind in an association area.

He than threw the knife away in a nearby cell, before being detained by prison staff back at his own cell.

While being detained he told a prison officer he was, “sick of being bullied”, but refused to say any more.

Read more: County Durham man branded 'dangerous' offender after assaults on partner

Mr Cross said the victim’s injury was shallow in the facial area but became deeper around the corner of the jaw and he suffered heavy blood loss.

Brendan Burke, for Davison, told the court: “What I’ll say is that the only real mitigation is his guilty plea, foreshadowed by an immediate admission at his own cell after the offence was committed.”

Judge Jo Kidd said the defendant’s case is that he was being bullied by other inmates stemming from, "the whole debt situation which was the foundation of the murder case last year.”

She said: “The reality here is that we are talking about prisoners in Frankland.

“Their reputation follows them, and not in a good way.”

Addressing Mr Burke, Judge Kidd said: “We are dealing with two category A prisoners and your client decided to take matters into his own hands, launching an unprovoked attack with a weapon on another inmate.

“It seems to be a very straight-forward sentencing exercise.”

Judge Kidd said it merited a seven-year sentence, but with a one-third deduction to reflect the defendant’s guilty plea.

She, therefore, imposed a 56-month sentence to be added to the existing life sentence.

He must serve at least half of the 56 months once the 30-year minimum life sentence expires, which she told Davison would result in him being in prison until he approaches the age of 60.

Read next:

               Convicted killer has 11 years added after attack on inmate in Durham prison

               Jailing of man for prolonged attack among cases sentenced at Durham Crown Court in recent days

               Stanley man back in jail after 'threatening' driving towards officer outside Durham Prison

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