Before Assistant Coroner David Manknell KC
Southwark Coroners Court
1 Tennis Street, London SE1 1YD
Opens 20 October 2025 - scheduled to last 15 to 20 days
Sundeep Ghuman, 36, died on 19 February 2020 after sustaining serious head injuries the day before while locked in his cell in Belmarsh prison with his two cellmates, cousins Stephen Hilden and Terry Jocham.
Prison officers had moved the cousins into Sundeep’s cell, a British Asian man, notwithstanding the fact that Stephen Hilden was flagged as a racist.
Stephen Hilden was convicted of murder on 16 May 2022 and received a life sentence.
It is expected that the inquest will now consider the adequacy of the risk assessment process; the treatment of race and racism in decision making by prison staff and why Sundeep was sharing a cell with Stephen Hilden and Terry Jocham.
The family hope the inquest will address their concerns about the care that Sundeep received prior to his death and whether his death could have been prevented.
For further information, please contact Leila Hagmann on leilahagmann@inquest.org.uk.
The family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Jo Eggleton, Rajiv Nair & Rachel Tribble of Deighton Pierce Glynn and Rajeev Thacker of Garden Court Chambers. They are supported by INQUEST Caseworker Luana D’Arco.
Other Interested Persons represented at the inquest are HMP Belmarsh, Oxleas NHS Trust, Practice Plus Group, Stephen Hilden, Terry Jocham and Paul Knowles who was a prison officer.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the death of British Asian 19-year-old Zahid Mubarek who was murdered by his racist cellmate on the morning of his release from Feltham Young Offender Institution. His death resulted in a public inquiry. The final report was published in 2006, with 186 recommendations made to prevent a similar tragedy occurring in British prisons.
Sundeep Ghuman
CONTENT WARNING: Please read with care as this page may involve information on death, suicide, mental illness, disability, state neglect, and police and prison violence that some people may find upsetting. If you need support, please visit our support page.
Before Assistant Coroner David Manknell KC
Southwark Coroners Court
1 Tennis Street, London SE1 1YD
Opens 20 October 2025 - scheduled to last 15 to 20 days
Sundeep Ghuman, 36, died on 19 February 2020 after sustaining serious head injuries the day before while locked in his cell in Belmarsh prison with his two cellmates, cousins Stephen Hilden and Terry Jocham.
Prison officers had moved the cousins into Sundeep’s cell, a British Asian man, notwithstanding the fact that Stephen Hilden was flagged as a racist.
Stephen Hilden was convicted of murder on 16 May 2022 and received a life sentence.
It is expected that the inquest will now consider the adequacy of the risk assessment process; the treatment of race and racism in decision making by prison staff and why Sundeep was sharing a cell with Stephen Hilden and Terry Jocham.
The family hope the inquest will address their concerns about the care that Sundeep received prior to his death and whether his death could have been prevented.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, please contact Leila Hagmann on leilahagmann@inquest.org.uk.
The family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Jo Eggleton, Rajiv Nair & Rachel Tribble of Deighton Pierce Glynn and Rajeev Thacker of Garden Court Chambers. They are supported by INQUEST Caseworker Luana D’Arco.
Other Interested Persons represented at the inquest are HMP Belmarsh, Oxleas NHS Trust, Practice Plus Group, Stephen Hilden, Terry Jocham and Paul Knowles who was a prison officer.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the death of British Asian 19-year-old Zahid Mubarek who was murdered by his racist cellmate on the morning of his release from Feltham Young Offender Institution. His death resulted in a public inquiry. The final report was published in 2006, with 186 recommendations made to prevent a similar tragedy occurring in British prisons.
Journalists should refer to the guidance for reporting on inquests.
Make a Donation
Every year, INQUEST supports hundreds of families bereaved by deaths involving the state. We are independent of government and entirely reliant on grants and donations to continue our vital work.
Support us and bereaved families in the fight for truth, justice and accountability by becoming a regular donor today.
Donate now
Related items
We campaign to halt prison expansion and reduce the prison population
Subscribe to our newsletter
To receive the latest news from INQUEST straight into you inbox please subscribe. For examples of what you will receive, see our previous newsletters.