News

Prosecution: Bevan ‘a bully that would viciously batter a two-year-old’

Published

2 years ago

March 30, 2023

DURING closing statements in the murder trial of Lola James from Haverfordwest, murder accused Bevan was branded a “bully”.

In her closing statement, Caroline Rees KC, for the Crown Prosecution Service told Swansea Crown Court how on the evening of July 16, 2020, Lola James described as a “beautiful, bright two-year-old” went to bed without a bump, scrape or bruise on her body, apart from the nose injury in which she received the week before.

By 6.32am the following morning, Lola was “battered, scratched, heavily bruised from head to toe, unconscious and seriously injured”.

The prosecution argues that these injuries were caused at the hands of Kyle Bevan, 31, who is accused of murdering the tot during a “brutal, frenzied violent attack”.

Lola had catastrophic head injuries along with 101 surface injuries on her tiny body when she was presented to hospital.

Tragically, on July 21, 2020, Lola succumbed to her injuries at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff

Bevan has maintained his innocence throughout the case, insisting that Lola’s extensive injuries were caused by the family dog jumping up and knocking her down 12 carpeted stairs.

Ms Rees KC said: “To cause such serious and extensive injuries must have involved a frenzied, brutal attack with blunt force trauma all over her head and body along with violent shaking which caused the head and eye injuries.”

As mentioned in their opening statement, the Crown makes no suggestion that Sinead James, 30, Lola’s mother, took part in the “attack” or was aware that it was happening.

At the time of the incident, James was asleep upstairs in her bed with the door open.

Caroline Rees went on to say: “The fact that Sinead James had not been woken by noise whilst Lola was under attack suggests that Kyle Bevan rendered Lola unconscious early on, but carried on to inflict injuries.”

At 4.26am Bevan took a photograph of Lola on his mobile phone. Lola was conscious, but had bruising and marks to her upper back. It is not believed that Lola had sustained the catastrophic head injury at this point.

At 6.32am, Bevan used his mobile phone to make an internet search which read: “My two-year old child has just taken a bang to the head and gone all limp and snoring, what’s wrong?.”

This was followed by a screenshot from a medical website which states medical assistance should be sought immediately.

Despite this an ambulance was not called for almost another hour.

Ms Rees said: “Bevan’s behaviour between 6.32am and 7.20am proves beyond doubt there was no accidental fall down the stairs from a dog.

“Bevan needed that hour to conduct lies to protect himself and come up with an excuse as to how an alive and well to a perilous state to cover his tracks.”

Mr Hipkin KC, Bevan’s barrister, took reference to this during his closing statement. Citing that Bevan was not the most intelligent or articulate person.

“He has been criticised relentlessly by normal standards for not calling an ambulance – does it mean he’s guilty? Or might be an innocent explanation.

“His mother said he believed she could fix things, he’s done that all his life. He did eventually ask her to call an ambulance.”

The prosecution went on to make reference to the fact that Bevan did not take to the witness stand.

They proposed they would have sought to get answer to the following:

Why was lola wet when the ambulance arrived?
Why was there vomit on a onesie and Lola’s duvet,
How did lola get through baby gate?
Why was the bath cleaned?
Where did Lol’s tattoo vanish too?
Explanation for the delay of an hour to call an ambulance or wake her mother?

Ms Rees said the answer to this was simple, that Bevan could not offer any answer to what happened on that morning.

“ The prosecution’s position is clear.

“Bevan is a bully, the kind of bully that would viciously batter a two-year-old child.

“Like most bullies, he is a coward and not willing to stand in that witness box and give his account.”

This was something opposed by Bevan’s barrister.

On this matter, Mr Hipkin simply invited the jury to remember that Bevan had undergone hours and hours of police interview for which he had cooperated.

Mr Hipkin said: “What can be said is he has been interviewed on this on many occasions and answered questions repeatedly. Hour after hour, year after year.”

The prosecution asked the jury to consider all the medics and medical expert opinions.

She added: “You heard from many doctors. Every single medic that saw Lola noted extensive and significant injuries and they all expressed concerns that this was not accidental.”

The prosecution argues that Bevan had a “volatile and unpredictable temper” and on July 17, launched a “murderous attack” on the defenceless two-year-old.

Ms Rees said: “Everything you heard about him demonstrates an aggressive and unpredictable temper which was exacerbated by drugs such as amphetamine and xanax and alcohol.”

The prosecution argues that James knew Bevan was a “volatile” and “angry” man due to past incidents witnessed by her along with her history of previous domestic violence relationships should have set off “alarm bells”.

She said: “With her knowledge and things witnessed herself. Alarm bells should have been loud and clear.

“On the date of the fatal attack, she heard a bump and scream.

“She had an opportunity to intervene but didn’t.

“Instead left her with what we say is Lola’s killer.

“Prioritising his need to be trusted with lola over Lola’s safety.”

Something that Mr Elias KC, James’ barrister denies.

Mr Elias said: “On that morning Sinead James woke to every parent’s nightmare.”

He asked the jury to remember the evidence provided to the court by Social Services and James’ Health Visitor.

Both gave evidence in the stand to the fact that James had engaged well with all of the authorities working with her, and had not concealed any of the injuries that the children had suffered leading up. Which he suggested meant she genuinely considered them accidents.

He added that Sinead had already recognised and took herself and her children away from two other domestic violence relationships and that social services were content with her parenting and ability to keep her children safe and concluded that James had done everything that was asked of her.

He invited the jury to remember that James had no reason to disbelieve Bevan’s account of how small bumps and bruises had appeared on the children in the week prior to Lola’s death.

During police interviews, James had told officers that she had failed her children and that she wished she had never met Bevan.

Mr Elias went on to say, how when you hear of these awful injuries, every parents is going to question themselves on what they could have done different.

He said: “Every parent is going to say omg i failed them.

“She’s going to say that to herself for the rest of her life.”

Mr Elias asked the Jury to take into consideration that hindsight is an incredible thing, and that James must be judged on what she knew at the time and not what she knows now after seeing evidence.

He added: “What she knew then was a very different picture indeed.”

Mr Rees closed his statement by saying:“The totality of evidence safely and surely finds it proved that Bevan attacked Lola intending at very least to cause that little girl serious injury.

“The evidence points to one conclusion that Kyle Bevan is guilty of murder.”

The Court heard how the dog in question, Jesse, was put down in 2022 after attacking a person.

Closing his statement, Mr Elias said: “There was arguments and damage caused, she was grabbed, on one occasion. He didn’t hit her, he treated the kids regularly very well.

“She was always open about the injuries, constantly reassured by friends and family that all was fine, accidents happen.”

Mr Elias went on to tell the court how before the evening of 16th July, no significant injuries were apparent on the children.

And indeed if Bevan did launch a “frenzied attack rendering Lola unconscious” that behaviour was completely out of the blue.

The jury is expected to start deliberation before lunch time tomorrow morning.

Crime

Whitland father acquitted of child cruelty but faces family court proceedings

Published

12 hours ago

March 6, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A 45-YEAR-OLD father from Whitland has been found not guilty of child cruelty following a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to discontinue the case.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his children, had been charged with assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, or abandoning a child in a way that could cause unnecessary suffering or injury. He had denied the allegations and was set to stand trial on June 16.

The case was reviewed at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday (Mar 5), where prosecutor Dean Pulling confirmed that the CPS had decided not to proceed with a criminal trial. He explained that subjecting the children to the process was not deemed to be in the public interest.

“The matter will be addressed in the family court,” Mr Pulling stated, adding that the decision did not diminish the statements provided by the children.

With no evidence presented by the prosecution, Judge Catherine Richards formally recorded a not guilty verdict. She noted that the CPS had carefully considered its decision, clarifying that while the criminal case had concluded, it had no impact on the separate family court proceedings.

News

Campaign against US military radar in Pembrokeshire gains political backing

Published

12 hours ago

March 6, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CAMPAIGNERS from Pembrokeshire-based PARC Against DARC visited the Senedd on Wednesday (March 5) to present their opposition to the proposed Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) at Brawdy. The group argues the AUKUS-backed military proposal, supported by US President Donald Trump, could escalate tensions in space with China.

Twelve Members of the Senedd (MSs) from various political parties have endorsed a Statement of Opinion recognising widespread opposition to the project. The statement highlights concerns over DARC’s visual impact, potential health risks, and regional security implications. A petition against the proposal has gathered nearly 17,000 signatures, with campaigners calling for a Welsh Government commission to assess the issue.

Political support growing

A spokesperson for PARC Against DARC said: “Today marks a significant shift in the political impact of our campaign. We now have cross-party backing, including from Welsh Labour MSs, strong support from Plaid Cymru, and support from the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ Senedd representative, Jane Dodds.

“For the many people opposing DARC in Pembrokeshire, this shows the Senedd at its best—reflecting the views of the people who elect it. We urge all MSs to heed our community’s concerns and support the Statement of Opinion.”

The spokesperson continued: “The proposal to construct a 27-dish radar array on the skyline of the St Davids peninsula—a natural treasure and a key attraction for Welsh tourism—has been ill-conceived from the outset. The Senedd Members we met today are standing on the right side of history by opposing it.”

Concerns over militarisation

Sioned Williams MS attended the event, stating: “Plaid Cymru has a proud tradition of promoting peace, and this US militaristic project has no place in Wales.”

The campaigners argue that the DARC radar would serve Trump’s agenda for US space dominance and support Elon Musk’s rapidly expanding SpaceX network. They said: “Local opposition to this project is strong, with Pembrokeshire having a long history of resisting such proposals.

“With ‘untrustable Trump’ in the White House and Keir Starmer acting as a subordinate UK partner, we cannot assume the US will remain a reliable ally by the time DARC is completed. If this goes ahead, we risk inviting the enemy inside the gate.”

The ‘Highlighting Militarism in Wales’ event featured speeches from local PARC campaigners Roy Jones and Jim Scott, along with presentations from Academi Heddwch, Cymdeithas y Cymod, Quakers Wales, the Cardiff UN Association, and Stop the War Cardiff.

Peace vigil held at Senedd

Following the presentations, a televised Vigil for Peace took place on the steps of the Senedd. Ali Lochhead from CND Cymru spoke about the group’s vision for a peaceful Wales. The event concluded with a performance by Côr Cochion Choir and the symbolic release of two peace doves.

Heledd Fychan MS, who sponsored the event, said: “On this UN International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, I am proud to support this event highlighting militarism in Wales.

“Plaid Cymru has a long-standing history of opposing militarism and advocating for peace. We remain committed to supporting Pembrokeshire residents in their fight against the DARC project. Today’s discussions were insightful and provided Senedd Members with a deeper understanding of the strength of opposition.”

Call to reduce military spending

Campaigners also criticised the global arms race, stating: “While Trump’s erratic realignment of global power is dangerous and unpredictable, we support his suggestion that all superpowers should reduce military spending.

“Scrapping unnecessary AUKUS infrastructure like DARC would be a meaningful step towards ending the cycle of militarisation. We, along with other campaigners in the Senedd today, believe public resources should be invested in developing future technologies and improving lives, rather than continuing outdated and unaffordable military standoffs.”

PARC Against DARC is urging Welsh residents to sign their petition and email Senedd Members to oppose the project. A template for lobbying is available on the campaign’s website: www.parcagainstdarc.com/lobbying.

News

Pembrokeshire Council Tax rise for residents at 9.35% agreed

Published

13 hours ago

March 6, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKEHIRE taxpayers are to see their bills increase by 9.35 percent after “political tribalism was set aside,” but an alternative lower proposal by the Conservative group was defeated.

Today’s March 6 meeting of full council was to consider three potential increases in council tax, 9.85 percent previously recommended by Cabinet, a 9.35 percent rise proposed by the Independent group led by Cllr Huw Murphy, which was later supported by the ruling coalition, and a 7.5 percent rate proposed by the Conservative group.

The council was to decide the annual budget, which includes the council tax element, on February 20 but that meeting was deferred until March 6, in part awaiting the final Welsh government local government settlement, which saw the county gain a small amount of extra money, worth roughly an extra £500,000, reducing its funding gap to £26.9m.

At the March 6 meeting, Cabinet member for finance Cllr Joshua Beynon moved the Independent-proposed budget be adopted rather than the previous 9.85 percent council tax rise one, seconded by Independent group member Cllr Alan Dennison.

The 9.35 percent increase adds £141.25 to the average bill over last year’s rate.

The Conservatives’ alternate budget of 7.5 percent was proposed by group leader Cllr Di Clements, saying there was a need to make “tough choices” with “a limited pot,” adding last year’s council tax increase of 12.5 percent was “one of the highest in the UK,” with “a significant rise” again proposed this year.

The Conservative proposals included addressing deficits in council leisure services by partnering with a national leisure trust, along with increasing the education budget by £6.6 million in the next financial year.

Cllr Clements added: “The budget choices will get harder and harder, we believe we cannot keep doing the same thing, slicing services until there is nothing left, that is why we are looking at alternate ways of providing services.”

She was joined by group spokesman for finance Cllr Aled Thomas who said people were “sick and tired of the status quo,” adding: “Taxpayers shouldn’t be burdened with failures of this local authority, whether vanity projects or failures to make efficiency savings; it is the taxpayer that pays for this, we owe it to them to be responsible.”

Cllr Alec Cormack, the former Cabinet member for finance, said he sympathised and supported some elements of the Conservative proposals but felt some parts were “not fully developed,” with “a very serious risk that many of these measures would not really deliver savings in 2025-’26,” adding: “I do not feel this really leads us to a balanced budget”.

After lengthy debate, the Conservative proposal was defeated by 45 votes to 13.

Leader Cllr Jon Harvey quoted from his speech when he was elected leader, saying he was happy to work on cross-party consensus politics, adding: “Cllr Huw Murphy shared a budget proposal, which we’re grateful for, not too dissimilar to the one proposed by Cabinet, considered to be a proposal we could jointly put forward, a pragmatic approach rather than an adversarial approach.”

He told members the 9.35 percent increase would lead to a county council part of the overall tax bill for the average Band D property would now be £1,651.97 in Pembrokeshire against Ceredigion’s £1,886.57 for the forthcoming financial year.

The final bill is calculated by adding the police precept, set at £360.68 for a Band D property, and individual town and community council precepts.

He warned there were still elements in the budget that were “a risk,” with challenging efficiency savings needed.

The 9.35 percent rise was backed by 46 members, with 13 against.

Speaking after the meeting, Independent group Leader Cllr Murphy said their supported proposal was “about doing what’s right by our most vulnerable, not doing what’s necessarily popular”.

He reiterated his party being “critical friends to the Administration” who would not “oppose for the sake of opposition,” welcoming the Cabinet support his party’s proposal, where “political tribalism was set aside for the good of our residents,” welcoming it as “progressive and mature politics on a very difficult subject, namely council tax”.

“In life it’s about making the difficult decisions not about making popular decisions that we are measured against.

“No tax rise is welcomed but today was a balance of offering the lowest council tax that was realistically possible versus the services we provide, much of it statutory.”

Cllr Aled Thomas of the Conservative group reacted to the vote, saying: “It’s disappointing that the Independent Group and Cabinet came together today to vote for the continued tax and spend mindset, at the expense of Pembrokeshire residents.

“The Conservative group proposed an ambitious budget with innovative ideas signalling change, and it was great to hear members across the chamber agree that change can’t come quick enough.

“Despite today’s result, the Welsh Conservative group will continue to fight for the best value for money for the hardworking Pembrokeshire taxpayers.”

‘Your needs and priorities at the forefront’

After the meeting Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies Cllr Joshua Beynon, said: “I want to reassure residents that this budget has been set with your needs and priorities at the forefront.

“Pembrokeshire, like all local authorities, faces significant challenges and increasing demands on key service areas. But we are determined to navigate them in a way that safeguards our communities and ensures we continue to deliver for Pembrokeshire.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Jon Harvey said: “Setting a balanced budget is a legal requirement and is the responsibility of Council, not Cabinet. When I was elected to the role of Leader last May, I made reference to the fact that I wished to build as much consensus as possible within the Chamber.

“This budget highlights that by working together to identify common aims and objectives, we can achieve an agreed outcome.

“As we are all too aware, the pressures across Welsh local government services are immense.

“In light of the challenges we’ve faced in recent years and continue to face, this budget will help us to avoid devastating, deeply unpopular cuts to services. It’s the only way we can protect the vital services our community relies on, while laying the groundwork for a sustainable, thriving future for Pembrokeshire.

In approving this budget we have sought to find a delicate balance between safeguarding our future and recognising the very real cost-of-living pressures faced by families in Pembrokeshire every single day.

“I became a Councillor to improve peoples lives, to help those in need and to support those who are struggling.

“Those of us that represent wards with high levels of social deprivation will only know too well how much our residents rely upon the services provided by the Council. This budget will support those in our communities that need our services most, whether this is our school children, vulnerable children and our elderly residents.

“Finally, I would like to thank the Finance Team and the Cabinet Member for Finance for all the hard work they have put in over many months on the budget proposals, to ensure we are best positioned to face the challenges ahead.”

Cllr Huw Murphy added: “On becoming Independent Group leader with Cllr Anji Tinley elected Deputy we released a statement that as a Group of Independent Councillors we would be critical friends to the Administration, and neither would we “oppose for the sake of opposition” and this can be clearly evidenced over the last 10 months within Council.

“We also stated that the Independent Group would challenge decisions which might have a negative impact on residents and where possible present alternative options. The recent budget setting is a testament to the integrity of the Independent Group where on Feb 20^th we prevented a possible Council Tax of 9.85% by adjourning a meeting of Council to await a final financial settlement from WG.

“The Independent Group then prepared & submitted an alternative budget offering a lower Council Tax of 9.35% along with fewer cuts in services, which passed today (at Full Council). The decision of Cabinet in supporting the alternative budget rather than opposing it is to be welcomed where the (vast) majority of Councillors accepted the need to discharge their statutory duties where political tribalism was set aside for the good of our residents is welcomed as progressive and mature politics on a very difficult subject, namely Council Tax.

“No Tax rise is welcomed but today was a balance of offering a lower Council Tax whilst recognising the need to find appropriate reductions in certain service areas.

“Moving forward there is much work to be done within Pembrokeshire and further afield in Cardiff & London to secure adequate funding to provide services Pembrokeshire residents deserve. As a Group of Independent Councillors, we will continue to work hard for all Pembrokeshire residents in raising their concerns and holding the Administration to account.”