Stephen Strutt’s family are paying tribute after the killer was stabbed to death in prison

The family of a convicted murderer who died in prison this week after being stabbed behind bars have paid tribute. Stephen Strutt, 42, was jailed for life in 2021 for the murder of Warren Glover. Mr Glover was found unconscious in French Street, St Helens, at around 10.15pm on June 13, 2020, and died of a catastrophic brain injury three weeks later in hospital.

Strutt, along with his brother-in-law Peter Walker, his girlfriend Melissa Stubbs and her brother Aaron Stubbs, was charged with “joint enterprise” murder and convicted after a six-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court. All four denied the charges they faced but were found guilty by a jury after a trial. They later also lost their bid to appeal against their convictions, the Manchester Evening News reports.

On July 13, he was taken to hospital in a critical condition following reports of a stabbing inside HMP Dovegate, near Uttoxeter, but died from his injuries. A man, a fellow prisoner, was arrested on suspicion of murder. In a tribute released by police, his family said: “Stephen was larger than life. He was the life and soul of the party. Devoted to his only son, who he was extremely proud of going to university.

“Ste, for those who knew him, had a huge heart and would help anyone if he could. Everyone had time for Ste. His enormous circle of friends would testify to that. He wasn’t a saint by any means, but he was loyal. to his family and friends, he was such a big personality.”

In an update on Friday, Staffordshire Police said: “A 46-year-old man, from HMP Dovegate, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He has been bailed back to prison while our investigation continues.”

A court heard Mr Glover, who was 33, was hit with a metal bar and found unconscious in a street in Thatto Heath, St Helens. He died three weeks later in hospital. Strutt, formerly of Stalybridge, Tameside, was ordered by a judge to serve a minimum term of 20 years. His death comes just three years after his conviction.

Two men and a woman – all from Greater Manchester – were also jailed for life for Mr Glover’s murder. Brother and sister Aaron and Melissa Stubbs, both 30 and from Burnage at the time, were also given life sentences. Both were convicted of the “joint enterprise” murder, along with Strutt and Strutt’s brother-in-law Peter Walker, then 31 and from Wythenshawe.

All four denied the charges they faced but were found guilty by a jury after a trial. They also subsequently lost their bid to appeal their convictions.