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Paul Wadkin guilty of murdering Darren Flynn with Jason Gomez at Swaleside Prison in Eastchurch

A prisoner has been convicted of killing another inmate in a frenzied attack at a Sheppey prison.

Paul Wadkin denied being involved in a joint attack on Darren Flynn at HMP Swaleside on March 25, but a jury convicted him of murder today.

Jason Gomez, who is already serving life for murder, admitted the charge before the trial started.

HMP Swaleside
HMP Swaleside

Judge Philip Statman said he would sentence both men tomorrow. He has warned Gomez he could be facing a “whole life” sentence, meaning he would never be released.

Wadkin grinned as he was led to the cells following unanimous verdict by the jury of seven men and five women.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 46­-year-­old victim suffered at least 190 stab wounds, many of which were to his chest and neck and had been inflicted with severe force by two differently­ shaped implements.

The prosecution said Mr Flynn, who walked with a crutch, was held down during the attack.

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC said the body was found in bed in Wadkin’s cell and had been covered with bedding and a chair.

The discovery was made after Wadkin, 33, of no fixed address, calmly told a prison officer there was a body in his cell.

Gomez, 45, of no fixed address, also admitted it to the officer and was equally calm. The three then went to the cell on F wing at the category B prison in Eastchurch.

At first the officer could not see the body. Wadkin moved a pillow from the end of the bed and the officer saw “an object” in the bed.

In the immediate aftermath of the body being found Wadkin told another officer he had “just murdered a pervert”.

HM Prison Swaleside. Picture: Simon Burchett.
HM Prison Swaleside. Picture: Simon Burchett.

Mr Flynn’s wounds were said to have been inflicted by two differently-shaped weapons, one with a rounded profile and the other more flattened and triangular.

Two weapons were later found in a prison landing bin.

Mr Bennetts said the most significant wounds were multiple punctures to both lungs, as well as damage to the heart and aorta artery.

There was also damage to his liver, spleen, large and small bowel and blood vessels in his neck.

His blood was found on Wadkin’s clothes, indicating he would have been in close proximity to Mr Flynn when it became airborne, said the QC.

After the discovery inmates were ordered to be locked in their cells, but Wadkin and Gomez were seen standing by a desk used by staff.

The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court
The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court

“They were asked to go to their cells,” said Mr Bennetts. “They said they couldn’t and were asked why. Both of them said: ‘We just killed someone’.”

Wadkin, who was serving an indeterminate sentence for wounding with intent imposed at Leeds Crown Court in 2011, claimed in evidence he had found the body in his bed.

He made the discovery, he said, after Gomez confessed to “having a madness" in his cell.

Gomez, he added,, told him he "went to work" on Mr Flynn and stabbed him.

Wadkin claimed he only found the body after Gomez's confession.

Gomez was sentenced to life at Worcester Crown Court in September 2001.


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