![\"Benjamin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_imgonline-com-ua-FrameBlurred-HdJpvRrU92Ou.jpg\")
Benjamin Fitzsimmons, previously of Altcross Road, Croxteth(Image: Merseyside police)<\/p>\nBenjamin Fitzsimmons engaged in a brutal spate of violence in 2023 which led to a pub blaze and a house being peppered with bulletsBenjamin Fitzsimmons, previously of Altcross Road, Croxteth(Image: Merseyside police)<\/p>\n
A man who stabbed a landlord sparking a chain of events which saw the pub gutted in a blaze has died in prison after a “fire”. Benjamin Fitzsimmons engaged in a brutal spate of violence throughout May and June 2023, slashing a singing pensioner across the head and face, headbutting and kicking a woman at a health centre during a drunken rage, before proceeding to his local pub, the Lobster in Croxteth<\/a>, where he threatened to stab drinkers before plunging a knife into the landlord\u2019s back<\/a>.<\/p>\n His allies came out to bat for him, threatening the pub\u2019s owner and his staff that if they complied with Merseyside Police\u2019s investigations<\/a>, then the building would be burnt down. Fitzsimmons pleaded guilty to the series of offences and was jailed in October 2023.<\/p>\n But days later the pub was torched by masked arsonists. And the intimidation continued in the following weeks, with the pub\u2019s owner\u2019s gated West Derby<\/a> house being peppered with bullets by two motorbike-riding thugs<\/a>.<\/p>\n The ECHO can exclusively reveal Fitzsimmons died last month at category B prison HMP Garth in Lancashire.<\/p>\n Authorities have not confirmed the cause of death but sources have told the ECHO<\/a> the 47-year-old died in a fire. A Lancashire Constabulary spokesperson said the death was currently being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched.<\/p>\n A Prison Service spokesperson told the ECHO<\/a>: “Benjamin Fitzsimmons died on 24 September 2025 at HMP Garth. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”<\/p>\n Ombudsman Adrian Usher added: “Mr Fitzsimmons died on 24 September 2025 at HMP Garth. My investigation has begun, and I will publish my final report once his inquest has concluded.”<\/p>\n Lancashire Constabulary<\/a> said: “We were called by the North West Ambulance Service<\/a> at 8.24pm on 24th September to HMP Garth, Ulnes Walton<\/a> Lane, Leyland, to a report that a man had been found unresponsive.<\/p>\n “The emergency services attended and very sadly a 47-year-old man was pronounced deceased at the scene. Our thoughts are with his family at this distressing time. The death is currently being treated as unexplained and our enquiries are continuing.”<\/p>\n Fitzsimmons boasted a disgraceful record which dated back to 1991 and amounted to dozens of convictions for more than 100 offences including rape and robbery.<\/p>\n He was subject to two separate suspended prison sentences at the time of the Lobster pub offences – one for possession of a bladed article in a public place and racially aggravated harassment and another for a public order matter.<\/p>\n Appearing in court in October 2023, he pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing grievous bodily harm, assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of a blade and affray.<\/p>\n![\"Fire](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_JS314169508.jpg\")
Fire damage in The Lobster pub, Moss Way, Croxteth<\/p>\n
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Police investigators at the scene at The Lobster pub in Croxteth after a fire (Image: Liverpool ECHO)<\/p>\n