An inmate at Peterborough prison was jailed today for 14 years for beating his cellmate to death with a flat screen television.

Cambs Times: Jordan Palmer.Jordan Palmer. (Image: Archant)

Terry Ojuederie, 42, from Watford, was attacked in his cell inside HMP Peterborough on December 9 last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Gallop, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “The attack was one of the most vicious I have seen, and happened at a time when Terry Ojuederie was unable to defend himself or escape.

The court had been told that at around 1am, Terry’s cell-mate, 26-year-old Jordan Palmer, rang a buzzer from his cell and told a prison officer he was feeling unwell.

The officer contacted a nurse and went to the cell to advise Palmer to drink some water and the nurse would be along shortly.

Twelve minutes later Palmer rang the intercom again, this time saying “I’m sorry, I don’t know what happened.” The prison officer returned to the cell to find Palmer stood covered in blood, with Ojuederie lying on the floor with horrific injuries.

Despite efforts from paramedics, Terry was pronounced dead at the scene.

Palmer, who was serving six years for grievous bodily harm (GBH), was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to Thorpe Wood Police Station.

Following questioning, he was bailed to HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes while detectives gathered evidence, and on March 2 was charged with Terry’s murder.

Yesterday (Wednesday, October 19), he was found guilty of manslaughter by diminished responsibility at Peterborough Crown Court following a two-and-a-half week trial.

He was sentenced to 14 years in prison at the same court this morning (Thursday).

Det Chief Insp Gallop said: “I can only say as some small consolation that in all probability Terry would have lost consciousness very quickly. On the evidence presented during the trial, the jury has found Palmer guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and I respect that decision.

“Very sadly, in this case, a man has lost his life and a family have lost a loved one. “Our thoughts are with Mr Ojuederie’s family and friends at this difficult time, and I commend them for the dignity and respect they have demonstrated through a very difficult court process.”

A statement from Ojuederie’s family said: “Terry was kind, caring and loving. He was very sociable and always tried to see the best in people. He never wanted to hurt anyone and always tried to help people where he could. We miss him so much and think about him constantly.”