News

Lola murder trial: “I didn’t beat her up to that extent”

Published

3 years ago

March 22, 2023

IN police statements read to Swansea Crown Court today, Wednesday, March 22, murder accused Kyle Bevan stated “I didn’t beat her up to that extent”.

A number of interviews were read to the court today, in which Bevan had described his version of events which lead to two-year-old Lola’s fatal injuries.

In one of the interviews, a list of injuries Lola sustained were explained to murder accused Bevan, which included extensive severe head trauma, cerebral haemorrhage, ischemia and multiple areas of severe bruising to her body.

Bevan was told that an Ophthalmologist said Lola has suffered haemorrhages to her eyes.

The defendant replied: “that’s only one doctor’s opinion, another may say something else”.

Images were then shown to Bevan of Lola’s injuries.

Bevan replied: “I didn’t beat her up to that extent”.

At 4.26am on the morning of July 17, 2020, Bevan took a photograph of Lola on his mobile phone, which showed her standing up and conscious, but with red marks on her back area.

It is not believed Lola had sustained the head injury at this point.

At 6.33am Bevan typed the following into an internet search bar: “My 2 year old child has just taken a bang to the head and gone all limp and snoring, what’s wrong?.”

This was followed up by a screenshot from a medical website which showed symptoms of a serious head injury and where it clearly states that emergency care must be sought immediately.

An ambulance was not called until 7.28am.

In a statement read to the court from January 18, 2021, some doubt was placed over what time the tot received the extensive injuries.

Detectives were asking the defendant why had he not attempted to get any help for almost an hour, probing why had he not gone to a neighbour or woke up Lola’s mother, co-accused Sinead James.

Bevan replied: “At 5 o’clock in the morning? Tracey would’ve punched my face in.”

The interview was paused for legal representation before Bevan clarified stating: “I didn’t mean it at like 5 o’clock, it was just early.”

The trial continues tomorrow at 10am.

Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

Published

10 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

News

Investigation launched after man found dead near Carmarthen railway line

Published

10 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a field close to the railway track near Carmarthen railway station.

Emergency services were called to the area at just after 8:30am on Saturday (Jan 10). Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance vehicles outside the station’s main entrance, with officers also in an adjacent field near a railway bridge.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

No further details, including the man’s age or identity, have been released.

Crime

Former Gwent detective would have been sacked after off duty assault conviction

Published

10 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Ex officer found guilty of gross misconduct following Devon incident and magistrates court conviction

A FORMER Gwent Police detective sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct after being convicted of assaulting a man while off duty in Devon.

Joanne Marston resigned from the force shortly before an accelerated misconduct hearing was due to begin at Cwmbran on Monday. The panel went ahead in her absence.

The hearing was told the incident happened in February 2024 while Marston was off duty in Devon. She was later arrested and charged with common assault, and was convicted at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March last year.

A professional standards investigation concluded she had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The panel upheld the allegation and found it amounted to gross misconduct.

Had she remained a serving officer, the panel ruled she would have been dismissed without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, who chaired the hearing, said the former officer’s actions were “shocking and unacceptable” and warned that such behaviour damages public confidence in policing.

Marston will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing her from serving with any police force in the UK.