News

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

Published

3 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.

News

Police launch winter crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour across Dyfed-Powys

Published

44 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE have launched a winter policing operation aimed at tackling town centre crime, antisocial behaviour and dangerous driving during the festive period.

The force is taking part in the Home Office’s Winter of Action campaign, with officers concentrating on crime “hotspots” across Dyfed, Powys and West Wales in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.

Police say the focus will be on reducing shoplifting, street crime and antisocial behaviour, alongside increased patrols linked to the night-time economy. The operation also includes measures targeting violence against women and girls, as well as alcohol-related disorder.

The winter campaign is being supported by Operation Ivydene, a dedicated antisocial behaviour initiative funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Dyfed-Powys Police received almost £500,000 in 2024 to deliver additional patrols and targeted responses in identified problem areas.

According to the force, Operation Ivydene delivered more than 12,000 hours of patrols during its first year, with reported antisocial behaviour falling by around 40% in hotspot locations.

The second year of the operation began this autumn. Inspector Darren Crockford said lessons learned during the first phase were now being used to broaden the focus.

He said: “Whilst we are still working towards the original aim of reducing antisocial behaviour, there is now an added emphasis on reducing serious violent crime, knife crime and retail crime.

“So far, over 2,050 hours of patrols have taken place across hotspot areas, with more than 70% of those patrols involving engagement with local businesses, charities and third-sector organisations.”

Operation Ivydene is currently active in a number of towns, including Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Pembroke in Pembrokeshire, along with Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen in Carmarthenshire, Aberystwyth and Lampeter in Ceredigion, and Newtown and Llandrindod Wells in Powys.

Community engagement forms a key part of the operation. Police say more than 6,300 surveys were carried out during the first year of Operation Ivydene to gather feedback from residents and businesses in hotspot areas.

Inspector Crockford added that the responses had helped officers better understand local concerns and shape patrol activity.

Alongside town centre policing, Roads Policing Units are also increasing patrols over the festive period, with a focus on drink and drug driving.

Police said officers would also be targeting the so-called “Fatal Five” offences – speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, driving without due care, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – which are the most common causes of fatal and serious collisions.

Dyfed-Powys Police covers more than 8,500 miles of road across the force area. Officers are urging drivers not to feel pressured into risky decisions and to take responsibility for staying safe behind the wheel.

Updates on the winter operation are being shared through Dyfed-Powys Police social media channels and the Dyfed-Powys Connects messaging service.

News

Paul Davies praises work of Pembrokeshire voluntary sector during PAVS visit

Published

55 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBER of the Senedd Paul Davies MS has praised the “vital role” played by the voluntary sector in Pembrokeshire following a visit to PAVS – Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services.

Mr Davies met with Chief Executive Jess Bickerton and members of the PAVS team, who provide support to individuals, volunteers, community groups and charities across the county.

During the visit, the Preseli Pembrokeshire MS was briefed on the wide range of advice, guidance and practical assistance offered by PAVS to help local organisations operate effectively and respond to community needs.

PAVS works closely with voluntary and third-sector groups, supporting everything from governance and funding applications to volunteering and community development, and plays a key role in strengthening local networks across Pembrokeshire.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Davies said the organisation’s work was crucial in helping communities thrive, particularly at a time when many voluntary groups are facing increasing pressures and rising demand for support.

He thanked Ms Bickerton and her colleagues for their work and for the warm welcome, describing their contribution as “invaluable” to communities throughout the county.

PAVS supports hundreds of organisations and volunteers each year and is a central hub for the voluntary and community sector in Pembrokeshire.

News

New OS tideline data could strengthen coastal erosion and flood monitoring

Published

1 hour ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NEW data released by Ordnance Survey (OS) could significantly improve how coastal erosion and flood risk are monitored across Great Britain as sea levels rise and extreme rainfall becomes more frequent.

The continuous tidelines dataset provides a clearer and more accurate picture of where high and low tides fall around the coast and along tidal rivers. The data is expected to support environmental monitoring, flood modelling, and long-term planning as the impacts of climate change accelerate.

Earlier this year, the Environment Agency updated its National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA), which for the first time factored in projected climate change impacts. The assessment found that around 6.3 million homes and businesses in England — roughly one in five — are currently at risk of flooding. That figure could rise to one in four properties by 2050.

The Agency has also updated its national coastal erosion risk map, which estimates that around 3,500 properties could be affected by coastal erosion by 2055.

The new OS dataset builds on existing information held in the OS National Geographic Database (OS NGD). Previously separate tidal boundary features have now been automatically merged into continuous high- and low-tide lines, creating two new feature types within the OS NGD Water theme. These can also be used as overlay layers through the OS Tiles API, allowing for clearer visual mapping and large-scale analysis.

The data is expected to support a wide range of environmental and regulatory work, including coastal erosion and flooding modelling, updating boundary features to reflect coastal change, climate change impact assessments, and identifying areas of foreshore that act as natural flood defences.

William Russell, Senior Coastal Process Scientist at the Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre, said the dataset would remove uncertainty from coastal monitoring.

“One of our core values is ‘data, not opinions’. When information is missing, we seek out or collect the data needed to support sound decision-making,” he said.
“The OS Continuous Tidal Boundaries dataset removes uncertainty from our strategic monitoring programme and gives us clearer insight into intertidal extents, delivering cost savings and efficiencies for our survey contractors.”

Ordnance Survey says the data is particularly valuable for environmental policy and regulation, including decisions around water discharge and flood management. Accurately defining the intertidal zone helps identify natural coastal defences, which play a vital role in protecting communities and ecosystems.

Intertidal information has also been enhanced within the Land theme of the OS NGD, with improved coverage of previously obscured areas to create a more complete national coastal dataset.

Lily Brown, Product Manager at Ordnance Survey, said the data would support evidence-based decision-making.

“The OS National Geographic Database contains trusted, accurate features that support everything from climate resilience and infrastructure planning to coastal management,” she said.
“By incorporating authoritative tideline data, we are enabling decisions that will help protect and monitor Britain’s evolving coastlines.”

Following the dataset’s release, Ordnance Survey analysed how ceremonial counties change in size between high and low tide. Merseyside showed the greatest variation, with a nearly 17% difference, followed by Orkney at around 7%.

The analysis also highlighted that counties considered landlocked, such as Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire, still experience significant tidal influence due to rivers like the Trent and the Don being tidal far inland.

When combined with Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs), the tideline data shows that Greater London has the highest number of homes and businesses within 15 metres of the high-tide line, at around 5,500. Cornwall ranks second with just over 3,000 properties, followed by Devon with around 2,400.

The new data has been released under the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA), which provides emergency services and public sector organisations with access to Ordnance Survey data and services.