Crime
‘Lessons continue to be learnt’ after murder of Lola James
A MULTI-AGENCY review of the circumstances around the death of a Pembrokeshire toddler Lola James has been published yesterday (Thursday, August 1) with hopes an action plan will “ensure lessons continue to be learnt”.
Two-year-old Lola died in hospital four days after a “sustained and very violent attack” by Kyle Bevan in the early hours of July 17, 2020 at her home in Haverfordwest.
Bevan, 31, of Aberystwyth, was later found guilty of Lola’s murder and jailed for life, with a minimum of 28 years.
Lola’s mother Sinead James, 30, of Neyland, was found guilty of allowing the toddler’s death and sentenced to six years in prison.
During the course of the trial, the jury heard that Bevan and James met through Facebook in February 2020, and started living in the home within weeks.
James had just got out of a domestic violence relationship, and as a previous victim of domestic abuse had access to support, but she “shut her eyes to the very obvious danger which Kyle Bevan posed to her children”, the court heard.
A review was started following Lola’s death, and restarted after the trial concluded.
Today, August 1, the Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding Board published the report of the Concise Child Practice Review, CYSUR 1 2021,undertaken in accordance with statutory legislation set out in the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and accompanying guidance Working Together to Safeguard People – Volume 2 – Child Practice Reviews (Welsh Government, 2016).
The report said that Lola suffered a violent attack by Bevan on the evening of July 16 2020 and into the morning.
Ambulance staff raised concerns that the injuries were inconsistent with falling down the stairs, as the mother had claimed on the phone to 999.
Lola was taken to the local hospital and later pronounced brain dead.
Bevan was known to the police since at least March 2019 for domestic incidents related to his own mother, who told the court he had an “anger problem”.
The review said concerns had been raised in January 2020 by a health visitor to Lola’s home, who said the mother was finding her daughter demanding, and at previous visits, she was unwashed, with her feet black with dirt.
While the health visitor submitted a multiagency referral form – to bring in social services – the review said there were a number of “missed opportunities” to arrange additional home visits, which could have allowed Lola’s well-being to be ascertained.
Those visits could also have uncovered that Bevan was living at the address, which James had not revealed to the team, and the condition of the home, which “would (on its own) have raised child protection concerns”.
Pembrokeshire county Council Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding Cllr Tessa Hodgson said: “Pembrokeshire County Council would first like to convey their sincerest condolences to the family of Lola James and to all those who have been affected by her murder, over four years ago.
“This review process, that we have fully and openly engaged with along with our multi-agency partners with whom we share safeguarding responsibilities, has been an opportunity for the local authority to reflect on its practice and to learn from the observations contained in the independent report.
“We would like to recognise the significant commitment and input of those who have taken part in the review process, and who have been involved with the family over the last four years.
“The local authority takes extremely seriously its duties within the safeguarding arena, and places the protection and support of the most vulnerable in society as its key priority.
“Whilst we would always strive to demonstrate good practice, there is always room for improvement and the opportunities that this review has presented us with, will allow us to improve how we work with vulnerable children and young people in the future.
“Ahead of the publication of the report today [August 1], we had developed an action plan to deal with the issues the review has raised for us, and we have made considerable progress against that plan already.
“In addition, we have established a social care improvement board, which includes amongst its membership locally elected politicians, senior officers and an external independent expert. This board will oversee delivery against the actions within that plan, with progress also being reported into local authority scrutiny committees and cabinet meetings.
“We hope also that the report, will contribute to wider ongoing learning and improvement in relation to a number of key safeguarding issues across all agencies with safeguarding responsibilities in the West Wales region and beyond. It is imperative that we take all opportunities to improve our services, and ensure that children and families receive the best quality of support available.
“Once again, Pembrokeshire County Council would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and all of those who knew Lola.”
Pembrokeshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board and Dyfed Powys Police have made the following joint statement to accompany publication of the report.
“All agencies involved in this report wish to convey their sincerest condolences to the child’s family and to all those who have been affected by the murder of a child in such appalling circumstances.
“This review has been an opportunity to reflect and share learning amongst all partner organisations and practitioners on a multi-agency basis, and we acknowledge the commitment and contribution of those who have taken part in the review process.
“All agencies take very seriously the opportunities that this review presents, to consider our practice and improve how we protect vulnerable children. We hope that the report will also contribute to wider ongoing learning and improvement in relation to a number of key safeguarding issues across all agencies with safeguarding responsibilities.”
The Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding Board will oversee the delivery of an action plan to ensure lessons continue to be learnt and that services are improved across all agencies.
Crime
Teenager banned from roads after being caught six times over drug-drive limit
A DOCK teenager has lost his licence after driving his vehicle on the Cleddau Bridge when he was six times over the legal drug-drive limit.
Gethin Moseley, 19, was stopped by officers carrying out random traffic checks on the bridge on January 24. Smelling cannabis emanating from his Mazda, a roadside drugs swipe was carried out which proved positive Subsequent blood tests showed that Moseley had 14 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system, the legal limit being 2.
Moseley, of Milton Terrace, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week. He was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed the Bench that the defendant only uses cannabis recreationally or socially. He has no previous convictions.
Moseley was fined £249 and ordered to pay a £100 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Crime
Drunk motorist arrested at Pembrokeshire petrol station
A Johnston motorist has appeared before magistrates after being caught driving when he was almost twice the legal drink-drive limit.
Police received a call at around 11am on April 23 from a member of the public concerned that local resident Martin Phelps, 55, was driving after consuming alcohol.
“He was at the petrol station and the member of the public was concerned that he was drunk,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“When they arrived, they could see he was unsteady on his feet and had trouble getting into his parked vehicle.”
When spoken to by the officers, Phelps admitted drinking alcohol earlier that morning. Subsequent breathalyser tests carried out at the police station, showed that Phelps had 68 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.
Phelps, of Langford Road, Johnston, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.
“He’s had a troublesome relationship with alcohol which has increased over the years,” she told the court.
“He’s engaged with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Advisory Service and Alcoholics Anonymous over the years, and this incident has been a wake up call for him.”
Phelps was disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £120. He must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge. He was disqualified form driving for 17 months.
Crime
Violent man jailed after ‘Banksy’ claims and campaign of domestic abuse
A PEMBROKESHIRE woman told a court she wished her former partner had killed her after enduring a campaign of violence and coercive control by a man who claimed to be Banksy.
Patrick Smyth, 49, of Oaks Avenue, Romford, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday to 22 months in custody after admitting coercive and controlling behaviour and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Smyth met the woman while on holiday in Tunisia in 2024 and later travelled from Essex to visit her in Haverfordwest.
Thomas Scapens KC, prosecuting, said Smyth quickly began mentally and physically abusing her. He checked her phone, isolated her from friends and family, and installed a phone tracking app which he controlled under the username “Powerful 666”.
He also claimed he was Banksy, the world-famous street artist, telling the victim he was powerful, wealthy and well connected.
“He copied Banksy’s signature and presented it to her, and she believed everything he told her,” Mr Scapens said.
The court heard that Smyth’s abuse escalated during a trip to Cardiff in July 2025, when the couple attended a concert. Smyth lost his temper and had to be removed by security.
Later, at the Coal Exchange hotel, he locked the victim in a room and placed a chair under the door handle to stop her leaving.
“He beat her continuously,” said Mr Scapens. “He put his hand around her throat to prevent her breathing.”
Hotel staff heard him calling her a “slag” and later saw reddening to her neck. They moved the woman to another room for her safety, but Smyth repeatedly tried to force his way inside, banging on the door and shouting.
Staff contacted the woman’s son, who worked in Cardiff. When he arrived, he became emotional after seeing her condition.
In September 2025, Smyth threw the woman into a wardrobe, fracturing two of her ribs. The following month, despite being on bail with a condition not to contact her, he turned up at her home.
“He pushed past her, tied her to a chair in the kitchen and turned off the lights,” said Mr Scapens.
The court heard Smyth refused to let her use the toilet and told her men were coming from London to put her in a pre-dug grave.
The final incident happened in October after the couple visited Morrisons in Haverfordwest. Smyth became aggressive in the store and threw shopping items at the victim. Concerned staff asked a security guard to shadow them.
During the taxi journey home, Smyth threatened to break the woman’s legs and punch her. When the taxi driver intervened, Smyth threatened to break his legs too.
Later that evening, a 999 call was made. No one spoke, but officers could hear a woman screaming and a man’s voice in the background.
When police arrived, they found the victim with cuts to her head. She was extremely upset and tried to hide her face in her roll-neck jumper.
When asked what had happened, she said: “I would in a heartbeat, but I can’t.” The court heard this was because Smyth was listening outside.
In a victim impact statement read to Judge Catherine Richards, the woman said her life had been “fundamentally scarred”.
“I hid my injuries away from other family members because I was scared,” she said.
“I’m scared to go out in case Patrick is there. I don’t treat life the same way anymore and I don’t leave the house by myself.
“It got to the point where I wish Patrick had killed me because I’d prefer to be dead. I’ll never be the same again.”
Smyth appeared by video link from prison, where he had been remanded since his arrest.
His barrister said he “wishes no bad will on the victim” and had reflected on his behaviour.
“He wishes to apologise,” she said. “He has no intention of making any further form of contact with her. Custody has acted as a wake-up call.”
Sentencing Smyth to 22 months in custody, Judge Richards said half would be served in prison and the remainder on licence.
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