Murdered Belmarsh prison inmate was a convicted arsonist from Erith

Detectives yesterday (February 26) named Sundeep Ghuman as the prisoner who died after being found inside the high-security prison following an assault on Tuesday, February 18.

The 36-year-old was found with head injuries and was taken to hospital in a critical condition where he died the following evening.

Police are still searching for a motive, but two 28-year-old men, also inmates at the prison, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Ghuman has now been identified as the same man who broke into a Kwik Fit store on May 7 2011, armed with a blow torch and a propane gas cannister and setting fire to a tyre stack and a fence, as reported by the Bexley Times.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Ghuman was jailed for five years and four months for a series of arson attacks in the borough of Bexley.

According to the Bexley Times, later on May 7 residents had to be evacuated from their homes after he damaged a pipe, causing a build-up of gas.

Ghuman, reported to be formerly of West Street in Erith, was found guilty of two counts of arson and three counts of being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, the paper reported.

At the end of his prison sentence, Ghuman was to remain on licence for a further five years.

At the time, acting detective chief inspector Jim Pryde said: “I would like to thank the residents of West Street whose vigilance in calling the fire brigade averted further damage being caused to property and for their support and cooperation during the police investigation."

Speaking about his death, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard said: "We are working to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident with the support of the prison and local officers.

"At this stage I am open-minded concerning motive, but expect this to become clear as the investigation progresses."