An inmate at HMP Birmingham, Ashley Pace, aged 40, has died while serving a prison sentence for manslaughter. Pace was convicted for the fatal assault on Jagdev Lally, which occurred during an unprovoked attack described as a ‘jealous fit of rage’.
The incident took place near the Tollgate shopping centre in Smethwick on 14 April 2020, where Pace punched and kicked Mr Lally to the ground. The attack was captured on CCTV footage. Mr Lally, who was a rough sleeper like Pace, suffered serious head and facial injuries and remained in hospital for three weeks before passing away.
West Midlands Police reported that Pace’s aggressive reaction was triggered by dissatisfaction over where he had laid down to sleep. Following the attack, Pace pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a six-year sentence at Wolverhampton Crown Court in February 2021.
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It has been confirmed by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman that Pace died at HMP Birmingham on 9 July 2026. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed, and an investigation into the circumstances is underway.
A spokesman for the Prison Service stated, “The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is investigating, and it would be inappropriate to comment further before the conclusion of its findings.”
Reflecting on the case at the time of sentencing, Detective Inspector Jackie Nicholson from Force CID said, “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a vulnerable man by someone who was simply not happy about where he had laid down to sleep. He was left with serious injuries after collapsing and never regained consciousness.”
She added, “I’d like to thank the member of the public who helped him and made sure he got to hospital. Sadly, he didn’t survive. Nothing will bring Mr Lally back to his family but I hope that seeing the person who caused this unexplainable pain being brought to justice is something that can offer them at least some comfort.”