Murderer George Stephenson, jailed in 1987 for his role in the Fordingbridge mansion massacre, dies in hospital after being prisoner at Full Sutton

A HANDYMAN who murdered four people in Fordingbridge in a case of “indescribable brutality and cruelty” has died while in custody.

George Stephenson (73) – who was turned down by a Parole Board for release in 2023 – passed away in hospital on 20th April, the Prison Service confirmed.

Stephenson was jailed in 1987 after being found guilty at Winchester Crown Court of being part of the horrific incident at Burgate House, dubbed the Fordingbridge mansion massacre.

As reported in the A&T a hearing to consider his request for release was held in 2023, but the panel ruled Stephenson – who was also convicted of rape and robbery – was still too dangerous. It also turned down a request to move him to an open prison.

A Prison Service spokesperson told the A&T: “HMP Full Sutton prisoner George Stephenson died in hospital on 20th April 2025. As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Adrian Usher confirmed the death was being investigated, but could not comment further.

When sentencing Stephenson, then aged 36, a judge recommended he spend at least 25 years in prison before he could bid for release.

But when that term expired in 2001 the then-Home Secretary Jack Straw said the crimes were so bad he upped the minimum time behind bars to 35 years.

In 2008 Stephenson was refused a request it be put back to the original 25 years.

Stephenson, originally from Coventry, was sent down with two other men: brothers John and George Daly.

On 1st September 1986 the trio interrupted a dinner party between Joseph Cleaver (82), a wealthy, reclusive, retired director of a publishing company; his disabled wife, Hilda, also 82; son Thomas (49); daughter-in-law Wendy (46); and live-in nurse, Margaret Murphy (70).

Joseph, Hilda, Thomas and Margaret were bound and gagged in an upstairs room where petrol was poured over them, and they were burned alive.

Wendy was taken to another bedroom and repeatedly raped before being strangled to death.

Stephenson had worked as a handyman at the house with his wife of 10 months, Fiona, but was sacked after he hit her in repeated rows three weeks before the killings.

Armed with pick-axe handles, stocking masks and rubber gloves, he and the Daly brothers made off after the raid with shotguns, a .22 rifle and electrical items.

Stephenson went on the run and Hampshire police launched a large manhunt.

He gave himself up two days later at Roundhills campsite in Brockenhurst, after travelling down from Coventry, drinking at the Foresters Arms and smoking pot with two nurses on a camping holiday.

After deliberating for nine hours, jurors unanimously found Stephenson guilty of four of the murders, rape and robbery.

John Daly, who admitted rape and robbery, was found guilty of murdering all five.

George Daly, who had admitted rape and robbery from the outset, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Joseph, Hilda and Thomas.

The judge, Mr Justice Hobhouse, branded the crimes as acts of indescribable brutality and cruelty.

After the case concluded, Burgate House was demolished.