News

Lola murder trial: “WTF has he been doing to my baby”

Published

3 years ago

March 23, 2023

Carli Newell

THIS was the question Sinead James, 30, asked officers when shown images of Lola’s injuries during an interview.

Transcripts from James’ police interviews were read out to Swansea Crown Court this afternoon, Thursday, March 23.

In the interviews, James had been probed by officers about her relationship with Kyle Bevan, 31, who is accused of murdering James’ two-year-old daughter Lola by inflicting catastrophic head injuries on July 17, 2020.

James confirmed that it was a relatively new relationship which started in February 2020.

The relationship progressed quickly and Bevan ended up moving into James’ home with her three children when the country went into lockdown in March of that year.

In early interviews, which were dated July 18, 2020, James claims Bevan was amazing with her children, always buying them things and would often sit colouring and playing with them.

She said: “he’s amazing with the kids, sits and paints with them, will do anything they ask him to do.

“I don’t think for one second he would hurt any of my children.”

She describes the couple as having a good relationship with hardly any arguments.

But in later interviews she admitted that things were not as rosy as the picture she first painted.

James described a few instances where Bevan had got angry; especially when he had drunk alcohol and taken a street version of the drug xanax.

She described a few instances where Bevan had headbutted door frames, smashed light switches with a hammer and punched the sofa. Although James insisted this was at a time when the children would be at their grandmother’s house.

When probed as to why she didn’t ask him to leave, James replied: “When he loses his temper it’s horrible, I don’t like it, I don’t like it when he’s taking alcohol and xanax he kicks off.

“Kids not there then, if they are i would remove them.”

James was shown a video of Lola that was recovered from Bevan’s phone, where she was laying limp, with obvious swelling and bruising to her forehead and lips and Bevan had picked her up and tried to get her to stand, but Lola hit the floor with a thud.

James gasped followed by “He’s not even holding her properly, I can’t watch it.

“I feel like I want to punch him in the face, he’s not even holding my baby properly he’s probably caused more damage to her.

“Why would he do that to a baby, she’s two-years-old, why would he do that. Never seen him handle children like that. That’s sickening.

“If he can do that what has actually happened to my baby.”

James was shown further footage of Lola’s injuries, including photos of her bruising on her body.

She replied: “What the f**k has he been doing to my baby.”

“Look at the marks on her, no way are they all caused from falling down the stairs.

“Please, you’ve got to charge him for what he’s done to her.”

James is charged with allowing or causing the death of a child by not protecting Lola from Bevan.

The trial continues tomorrow.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

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

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.