Benjamin Fitzsimmons, a 47-year-old man from Croxteth serving an extended prison sentence for a series of violent attacks, has died in custody. The incident occurred on September 24, 2025, at HMP Garth in Lancashire. Authorities are treating the death as unexplained and have launched an investigation, with sources indicating a fire may have been involved.
Fitzsimmons was jailed in October 2023 after pleading guilty to multiple offences, including stabbing a pub landlord. His conviction was followed by an arson attack that destroyed the pub and a shooting incident at the owner's home.
Key Takeaways
- Benjamin Fitzsimmons, 47, died at HMP Garth on September 24, 2025, while serving an 11-year extended sentence.
- His death is currently being treated as unexplained, and an official investigation is underway by Lancashire Constabulary and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
- Fitzsimmons was imprisoned for a violent crime spree in 2023, which included stabbing the landlord of the Lobster pub in Croxteth.
- Following his imprisonment, the Lobster pub was destroyed in an arson attack, and the owner's home was targeted in a shooting.
Official Investigation into Prison Death
Authorities have confirmed the death of Benjamin Fitzsimmons at the category B prison. An official cause of death has not been released, but an investigation has been initiated to determine the circumstances.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary stated that officers were called to HMP Garth by the North West Ambulance Service on the evening of September 24. They confirmed that a 47-year-old man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
"We were called by the North West Ambulance Service at 8.24pm on 24th September to HMP Garth, Ulnes Walton Lane, Leyland, to a report that a man had been found unresponsive," the spokesperson said. "The death is currently being treated as unexplained and our enquiries are continuing."
The Prison Service also issued a statement confirming the death and the standard procedure that follows.
"Benjamin Fitzsimmons died on 24 September 2025 at HMP Garth," a spokesperson commented. "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate." Ombudsman Adrian Usher confirmed his investigation has begun and a final report will be published after the inquest concludes.
A History of Violent Offences
Fitzsimmons was sentenced in October 2023 after a spate of violent incidents earlier that year. The court heard he had an extensive criminal record dating back to 1991, with over 100 offences including rape and robbery. At the time of his 2023 crimes, he was already subject to two separate suspended prison sentences.
Timeline of 2023 Incidents
- May 31, 2023: Fitzsimmons attacked Ronald Morris, a 67-year-old pensioner, as he walked home singing. He armed himself with a knife and slashed the man across the face and head.
- June 21, 2023: He assaulted a woman, Olivia Rogers, at a health centre by headbutting and kicking her.
- June 21, 2023: Later the same day, he went to the Lobster pub in Croxteth, where he was barred. He threatened customers and stabbed the landlord, Peter Lanes, in the back, causing a five-inch wound.
During the sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne described the attacks as vicious and found Fitzsimmons to be a dangerous offender, handing him an extended 11-year prison sentence. Fitzsimmons had pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing grievous bodily harm, assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of a blade, and affray.
Intimidation and Retaliation
The violence did not end with Fitzsimmons' imprisonment. Following the attack on the landlord, the pub's owner and staff received threats, warning them not to cooperate with the police investigation. The threats explicitly stated the building would be burned down if they did.
Just days after Fitzsimmons was jailed, masked individuals set fire to the Lobster pub, causing significant damage and gutting the building. The campaign of intimidation continued weeks later when two individuals on a motorbike fired shots at the pub owner's gated home in West Derby.
HMP Garth Safety Concerns
In August, a report from HM Inspectorate of Prisons raised concerns about HMP Garth. Inspectors found the prison had become "noticeably less safe," with some wings feeling "chaotic." The report highlighted the prevalence of drugs, which created an illicit economy where debts were often enforced through violence.
Fitzsimmons' lawyer had told Liverpool Crown Court during his sentencing that he had shown "genuine remorse" and had been an "exemplary prisoner" while on remand. However, his long history of offences, fuelled by alcohol and drug dependency, painted a different picture for the court.
The ongoing police investigation into his death will seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident inside HMP Garth. The findings of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will be made public following the conclusion of the coroner's inquest.