Middlesbrough convict Paul Feltham found dead in prison cell

Convict Paul Feltham had been recalled to prison for his final spell behind bars six months prior to his death aged 37.

In 2014, went on a burglary spree targeting fancy cars worth tens of thousands of pounds alongside sidekick Adam Kirby.

The pair made their way into family homes, including one in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough where a newborn baby slept, leaving their victims distressed.

Feltham’s stolen goods were estimated at £37,500, a court heard at the time. The Middlesbrough man admitted two burglaries and four thefts and was jailed for four years and four months.

Paul Feltham (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Four years later in 2018 he sparked a manhunt which saw armed police swoop on the Hemlington area of Middlesbrough. He was jailed again for 21 months when he admitted an assault ahead of a trial.

He was then jailed again at HMP Durham in November 2021 after returning to his criminal ways of burglary and vehicle theft. He was later moved to HMP Northumberland.

Just six months later on May 31, 2022 he was found dead in his cell.

A report published last week into his death revealed how prison officers carried out a rollcall at 5.40am on the morning of his death and could not see Feltham through his door.

Guards went into his cell and found he had hanged himself. He was confirmed dead by paramedics at 6.12am.

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The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, which authored the report, said it was satisfied staff at the jail “did not overlook any signs” that Feltham was due to take his own life.

It said he had previously suffered mental ill health and had a long history of substance abuse, including an attempted overdose in 2019. There were no drugs in his system when he died.

Last month an inquest ruled Feltham died by suicide.