Crime

Police investigate death of Haverfordwest child killer at top-security jail

Published

7 months ago

November 5, 2025

POLICE are investigating the death of convicted child killer Kyle Bevan, who was found dead in his cell at HMP Wakefield on Wednesday morning (Nov 5).

Bevan, aged 33, was serving a life sentence for the murder of two-year-old Lola James, his partner’s daughter, at their home in Haverfordwest in July 2020.

***Police arrive at HMP Wakefield (Pic: Yapp News)***

Emergency services were called to the high-security West Yorkshire prison shortly after 8:25am, following reports that an inmate had been found unresponsive. A police spokesperson confirmed: “Investigations into the man’s death are in their early stages and enquiries are being carried out.”

No arrests have been confirmed at this stage.

Lola’s death shocked the local community, after it emerged the toddler had suffered more than 100 injuries while in Bevan’s care. She died in hospital four days later.

Bevan denied harming Lola, claiming their pet dog had pushed her down the stairs, but a jury at Swansea Crown Court rejected his account. In April 2023, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years. Lola’s mother was also jailed for six years for causing or allowing her daughter’s death.

Bevan’s death comes less than a month after disgraced Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins was stabbed to death at the same prison. Two men have since been charged with his murder.

Watkins had been serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences.

HMP Wakefield, a Category A men’s prison housing more than 600 inmates, is one of the country’s highest-security facilities and accommodates several high-profile offenders.
A report following an unannounced inspection in June described the jail as a “prison under strain,” highlighting a rise in violence and declining staff morale.

Inspectors wrote: “Levels of violence had increased, and many prisoners did not feel safe.
“Many told us they felt particularly vulnerable—especially older men convicted of sexual offences—who were increasingly sharing space with a younger, more volatile population.
While training was planned to help officers manage this complex mix, there was no coherent strategy to reduce violence or bullying.”

Crime

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

Published

6 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.

He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Photo caption: Drugs seized:

Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

Crime

Man wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts

Published

8 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN is wanted by the courts after failing to attend a hearing relating to a series of alleged shop thefts in Pembrokeshire.

Jack Morgan, of Pembroke, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) but failed to attend.

The court heard that Morgan faces several allegations of shop theft from businesses in Pembrokeshire.

The charges include the alleged theft of vodka from the Co-op in Pembroke Dock, along with food and drink items including sausages, crisps and Dragon Soop from The Green Garage.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place on various dates earlier this year.

After Morgan failed to attend court, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

He will now be brought before the court once located by police.

Court officials heard that the matters remain before the court and no pleas have yet been entered.

Crime

Shop theft admitted after alcohol stolen from Haverfordwest store

Published

8 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOMAN has admitted shoplifting alcohol from a Haverfordwest store.

Esme Hoyle appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) charged with theft from a shop.

The court heard that Hoyle stole alcohol worth £17 from B&M in Haverfordwest on Sunday, April 6.

Hoyle pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates sentenced Hoyle following her guilty plea and imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The court was told the offence related to a low-value retail theft from the town centre store.

Retail theft continues to place pressure on local businesses across Pembrokeshire, with stores increasingly reporting repeated incidents of shoplifting.