Killer who stabbed young dad to death in nightclub dies of Covid in prison after refusing vaccine twice

A man who stabbed a young dad to death in a nightclub has died of Covid-19 whilst in prison, a report has confirmed.

George Lawrence refused the coronavirus vaccine on two occasions and has died in hospital at the age of 57. He was a prisoner at HMP Garth at the time of his death on January 11, 2022, StokeOnTrent Live reports.

The murder happened when Lawrence fatally stabbed father-of-two Connor Upton outside the former Merlin's nightclub in Staffordshire in June 2010. The pair clashed in the smoking area of the Burton club on Station Street, with Lawrence flicking a cigarette at the 21-year-old's face.

READ MORE: Gang of thieves strike at Jack Grealish's mansion in terrifying raid as he played for Manchester City

READ MORE: Man wrongly jailed over rape for 17 years says he's not received any compensation

A year later when Lawrence was 46 he was found guilty of Connor's murder and sentenced to a minimum of 22 years. Not eligible for parole until 2033, Lawrence was only 11 years into his sentence when he died.

A Prison and Probation Ombudsman report into his death revealed he died from Covid-19 and had declined the vaccine in April and October 2021, In December 2021, Lawrence was due to be offered the vaccine twice more, but in that month he contracted the virus. The community matron was unable to access the wing due to staff shortages and the outbreak.

The recently-published report has also raised concerns over his death, stating: "The clinical reviewer found that after reporting symptoms of COVID-19, Mr Lawrence’s clinical management was not in line with national and local guidance. There was a delay of ten days before a PCR test was taken; clinical observations were incomplete; and he was not monitored for signs