Prisoner found guilty of killing Bristol cellmate

Dan Childs was found dead in the cell he shared with Michael Harkin

A prisoner has been found guilty of killing his cellmate in June 2023.

Michael Harkin, 35, was convicted of manslaughter by diminished responsibility following the death of 38-year-old Dan Childs at HMP Bristol.

Mr Childs was found unresponsive in his cell on 5 June and pronounced dead at the scene, having been strangled, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Harkin, who was also found guilty of wounding a second prisoner, was remanded at Bristol Crown Court to be sentenced on 11 October.

Senior investigating officer Det Insp Nadine Partridge said: “Our thoughts are foremost with the family of Dan Childs, who have had their much-loved son, brother and uncle taken away from them."

'Something not right'

The jury heard Harkin had two different cellmates in the days leading up to Mr Childs’ death.

The first prisoner requested to be moved on 1 June, after one day of sharing with Harkin.

He later told police it was because "there was something not right" about Harkin.

Staff subsequently paired Mr Childs with Harkin instead.

On 5 June, police officers were called to HMP Bristol after Harkin assaulted his former cellmate in the showers, causing facial, neck, shoulder and leg wounds with an improvised blade.

Mr Childs was found unresponsive in his cell

Following the attack, staff checked on Mr Childs and found him unresponsive in his cell.

A post-mortem examination found he had been strangled.

An Avon and Somerset Police murder investigation, which examined CCTV footage, found no other person entered Harkin and Mr Child's cell prior to doors being unlocked the following morning, when Harkin walked to the showers.

The jury heard evidence from medical experts during the course of the 16-day trial, and following direction by the judge, found Harkin not guilty of murder.

He was instead convicted of manslaughter by diminished responsibility and found guilty of wounding the other prisoner.

The jury found Harkin not guilty of a separate count of attempting to wound a member of prison staff who tried to intervene.

Det Insp Partridge explained a specially-trained officer was supporting Mr Child's family "at what continues to be an incredibly difficult time".