News

Tragic Lola’s head injury result of ‘frenzied, brutal and violent attack’ – CPS

Published

1 year ago

March 8, 2023

THE PROSECUTION in the case of two people who are charged with causing the death of Haverfordwest toddler Lola James, 2, have given their opening statement to the jury.

Swansea Crown Court heard on Wednesday (Mar 8) that Lola had 101 separate surface injuries to her tiny body when she arrived at hospital.

Kyle Bevan, 31, said the injuries was a result of the family dog jumping up at Lola and knocking her down the stairs.

Within the prosecution’s opening statement, Caroline Rees KC, told the court how in the early hours of the morning of July 17, 2020, Lola received a catastrophic head injury as a result of a ‘frenzied, brutal and violent attack’.

The prosecution outlined their facts of the case.

Caroline Rees KC went on to say how on the evening of July 16, 2020, Lola’s mum, Sinead James, 30, had gone to bed and left Bevan alone with Lola.

At round midnight, James heard a thump and a cry.

James went into Lola’s bedroom and found Bevan cradling Lola where he said that she had fallen from the ladder on her bunk bed and he was comforting her.

Lola’s mother went to bed, and was not awakened again until almost 7.30am the next morning, where she made a phone call to her mother and the emergency services.

It is the prosecution’s case that during this time, Bevan not only launched a “murderous attack” on the defenceless toddler, but made efforts to “cover his tracks”.

The court was shown a number of photographs of the family home, which was dirty, messy, cluttered and extremely unkempt. All except a sparkling clean bathtub, which was not in keeping with the general state of the rest of the property.

Something the prosecution says shows an intent made by Bevan to complete a clean up operation.

The prosecution claim the timeline of events can be pieced together by evidence from Bevan’s phone.

At 4.26am on the morning of July 17, 2020, Bevan took a photograph of Lola on his mobile phone, which showed her stood 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.

Despite this warning, Bevan still made no attempts to wake James or call for an ambulance.

Bevan went on to text his mother asking her what he should do.

Distressing videos and photos that were found on Bevan’s phone, were shown to the court.

In the photos it showed Lola laying limp, appearing unconscious and with obvious swelling and bruising to her forehead and lips.

Those photographs were taken by Bevan on his mobile phone more than an hour before an ambulance was called.

In a video played to the court, Bevan can be seen recording himself on his phone lifting Lola up off the sofa and trying to get her to stand.

Lola was limp and when he let her go, she fell to the floor making an extremely loud thump.

Bevan then picked her up, placed her on the sofa, put a blanket over her midriff area of her body, before looking at the camera and saying “she’s gone”.

Despite obvious signs of Lola being seriously injured, Bevan still had not made any attempts to wake Lola’s mother Sinead James or call for medical help.

At just before 7.30am, after numerous texts between Bevan and his mother, he eventually asked her to call an ambulance, stating that he was unable to do so from his phone.

Something the prosecution denies, based on the fact he had made calls to a friend in that time period and had made several internet searches.

The court heard how Lola had 101 surface injuries on her body, including bruising to her forehead, eyes, bridge of her nose and bruising to all four of her limbs, bruised lips, bruised ears and dried blood inside them.

There were puncture marks to the side of her eyes and forehead with dried blood.

Bruised lips, bruised ears and dried blood was found inside one of them.

The injuries, the prosecution argue, are as a result of “abusive head trauma with some form of impact”.

Caroline Rees KC said: “Kyle Bevan murdered Lola by seriously assaulting her.

The injuries noted, which were caused by brutal and serious physical violence.

“Rather than face up, Bevan tried to save himself.

“Rather than call 999 immediately. He took a coward’s escape by placing false blame on the family dog.

The injuries sustained are wholly inconsistent with an accident. Instead are a result of a frenzied, brutal and violent attack at hands of someone she should have been able to trust.”

The prosecution claims that along with the medical experts that will be giving evidence in the trial in the coming weeks, will prove that these injuries are as a result of a “murderous attack” and not as a result of an accidental fall.

An outline of James and Bevan’s relationship was laid out to the court. It was described as ‘volatile’.

Caroline Rees KC, told the court how, there is no suggestion that James was involved in any way in the assault, but she did not take reasonable steps to protect Lola.

The prosecution argues that past incidents and the domestic violence that James had been subject to at the hands of Bevan were clear indicators that her children were not safe in Bevan’s hands.

An outline of previous aggressive behaviour displayed by Bevan was heard.

In the months leading up to Lola’s death, a number of injuries were noted to Lola.

Each of the injuries were explained away by Bevan’s as accidents. Explanations that were accepted by James.

However one incident which is said should have set ‘alarm bells ringing’ was an incident in which Bevan’s pushed another child into a road and said: “F**k it”.

The pram and child were retrieved by James quickly.

Caroline Rees KC said: “Messages between the couple in the months before demonstrate an escalation of abuse and aggression within the domestic home.

“Exposing [Lola] to significant risk.

“She did nothing to keep Lola safe.

“Instead she left Lola in Bevan’s sole care while she went to bed, only for the result of the tragic consequences that we know occurred.”

The case continues.

News

Milford Haven RFC celebrates Mini’s Section Presentation

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Herald Sport

MILFORD HAVEN RFC once again showcased its commitment to nurturing young talent as it celebrated its Mini’s Section Presentation on Sunday (May 5). The event, held with much enthusiasm, marked a significant moment for the club, reinforcing its dedication to the development of rugby at all levels.

The Mini’s section, a cornerstone of the club’s community engagement, witnessed a remarkable turnout, a testament to its growing popularity year by year. The event not only recognised the efforts of the young players but also extended gratitude to the invaluable contributions of coaches, parents, and supporters, whose unwavering support is instrumental in shaping the future of rugby in Milford Haven.

A special acknowledgment was reserved for Abbo, Paula, and Leanne, whose steadfast support has been pivotal in nurturing the Mini’s section, ensuring its success and growth. Their dedication and tireless efforts have played a significant role in fostering a nurturing environment for the young athletes to thrive.

The presence of the 1st Team Club Captain, Zac, and Vice Captain, Jimmy, added a touch of prestige to the occasion. Their attendance and active participation in presenting trophies to the Mini Mariners underscored the club’s ethos of unity and inclusivity across all age groups. Such gestures not only inspire the budding players but also instil a sense of belonging and pride in the larger Milford Haven RFC community.

In his remarks, Zac emphasised the importance of fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity within the club, where every member, regardless of age or experience, feels valued and supported. Such values lie at the heart of Milford Haven RFC, reinforcing its status as not just a rugby club but a tight-knit community.

As the event concluded, echoes of “Up the Mighty Mariners” reverberated through the grounds, encapsulating the spirit of determination and unity that defines Milford Haven RFC. With the Mini’s section flourishing and the club’s unwavering commitment to its development, the future of rugby in Milford Haven looks brighter than ever.

With each passing year, Milford Haven RFC continues to uphold its legacy as a nurturing ground for young talent, a beacon of sporting excellence, and a source of pride for the entire community.

As the red and white colours of the Mighty Mariners continue to soar high, so too does the spirit of camaraderie and passion that binds the club together, ensuring its continued success on and off the field.

News

Milford Haven clinches thrilling victory in KO Cup Plate Final

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN a gripping showdown at Heywood Lane, Tenby on Wednesday (May 1), Milford Haven emerged victorious in the 2024 KO Cup Plate Final, edging past a resilient Whitland side by a narrow margin of 24-21.

The clash, witnessed by a fervent crowd, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, culminating in a nail-biting finish that saw Milford Haven secure their first-ever Plate trophy in the club’s history.

The Mariners took an early lead through a penalty courtesy of winger James Trueman, swiftly countered by Whitland’s full back Geraint Jones. However, Milford surged ahead with the first try of the match, as No 8 Dewi Williams powered over the line from close range, with Trueman adding the extras.

Despite Whitland’s efforts to claw back into contention with two penalties, reducing the halftime deficit to a single point, Milford Haven remained composed. The second half witnessed a relentless display from the Mariners, capitalizing on their dominant pack to create scoring opportunities.

James Trueman showcased his prowess with a spectacular try, expertly set up by swift passing from James Williams and Dan Jenkins. Trueman’s accurate kicking extended Milford’s lead further, before Scott Buirds crashed over for their third try, sealing a commanding advantage.

Yet, Whitland refused to concede defeat, launching a spirited comeback with tries from Owyn Griffiths and Dom Davies. Despite their valiant efforts, Whitland fell short in their pursuit of victory, with a crucial penalty attempt rebounding off the post in the dying moments.

Milford Haven’s Ollie Rothero was rightfully awarded the ‘man of the match’ accolade for his composed performance, epitomizing the team’s resilience throughout the contest. Rothero’s versatility and steadiness in the No 15 shirt proved instrumental in Milford’s triumph, despite stiff competition from Trueman’s impressive place-kicking and memorable try.

In the end, Milford Haven emerged as worthy victors, their victory a testament to their tenacity and unity on the field. As the final whistle blew, the Mariners celebrated a hard-fought triumph, etching their names in the annals of KO Cup Plate history.

The club said after the match on their Facebook page: “All the players, coaching team and committee would like to thank everyone that came over to Tenby to support the boys tonight. It really meant a lot to us as a club and no doubt the town!”

Line-ups:

Milford Haven: Ollie Rothero, Robbie Jones, James Williams, Dan Jenkins, Jamie Trueman, Efan Morgan, Dan McClelland, Aaron Mayne, Luke Ryan, Jimmy Buirds, Jay Goodall, Zac Davies (Capt), Ryan Mansell, Ieuan Davies, Dewi Williams. Replacements: Dai. Sweeny, Ben Jenkins, Ben Groves, Scott Buirds, Ethan Aldred, Lee Riley, Dean McSparron.

Whitland: Geraint Jones, Morgan Lewis, Jamie Goldsworthy, Dom Davies, Owyn Griffiths, Jonathan Thomas, Trystan Rees, Dafydd Walters, Marc Jones, Trystan Bowen, Benjamin Kirk, Dan Bennett, Lewis Tingay, Cian Evans, Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Ceiron Evans, Charlie Watson, Jack Worthing, Thomas Iraia, Geraint McCoan.

News

Goodwick 2nds clinch Division 3 Cup after dramatic penalty shootout

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Herald Sport

IN a gripping showdown at Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday (May 3), Goodwick United 2nds emerged victorious in a nail-biting encounter against Solva in the 2024 Division 3 Cup Final. The match, which ended 1-1 after normal time, saw Goodwick triumph 7-6 on penalties, securing the coveted cup in a marathon of tension and drama.

The game began at a frantic pace, with both sides showcasing their determination from the outset. Solva’s Robbie Jenkins proved to be a constant threat, testing Goodwick keeper Joe Docker early on. However, neither team could break the deadlock in the first half, with chances at both ends going begging.

As the match progressed, the intensity only heightened, with tackles flying in as both teams fought for supremacy. It was Solva who struck first blood, with Dan Bryce converting a penalty to put his team ahead with just 19 minutes remaining. But Goodwick refused to be beaten, and Kieran Price leveled the scores late on with a well-taken volley, sending the game into extra time.

Extra time saw no let-up in the action, with both sides pushing for a winner. However, it was Solva who found themselves reduced to ten men after Morgan Elliott was sent off. With neither team able to find a breakthrough, the match was ultimately decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

In a tense shootout that went to sudden death, it was Goodwick who held their nerve, with Haydn Smith scoring the decisive spot-kick to clinch victory for his team. The celebrations that followed were a testament to the resilience and determination of Chris Morris’s side, who battled through injuries and adversity to claim the title.

Reflecting on his team’s triumph, Morris expressed his pride in his players, praising their character and resilience in the face of adversity. For Solva, it was a bitter disappointment, but they can take pride in their valiant effort throughout the match.

As the final whistle blew, it was Goodwick United 2nds who emerged as the worthy winners, etching their names into the annals of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League’s Division 3 Cup history.

Line-ups:

Solva: Luke Phillips, Luke Mason, Harry Elliott, Morgan Elliott, Kieran Price, Ryan Thomas, Finn Isles, Sam Price, Robert Jenkins, Josh Bland (Captain), Lucas Price. Substitutes: Craig Challonder, Billy Clift, Albie Burden, Daniel Rees, Francis John-Duarte.

Goodwick United 2nds: Joe Docker, Tyler Morris, Iwan James, Haydn Smith, Kyle Smith (Captain), Joshua Wellan, Seamus Drake, Niall Kinsella, Keegan Summers, Gary Reynolds, Ethan Priestley. Substitutes: Goncalo Rocha, Alex O’Sullivan, Daniel Bryce, Kieran O’Brien, Frankie Pearce.

Match Officials:

Referee: Alan Boswell.