A man who viciously killed a young child in a residence in Wales has passed away while in prison. Kyle Bevan, aged 33, was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years for the brutal and deliberate attack on two-year-old Lola James in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on July 17, 2020.
Reports confirm that Bevan was discovered deceased at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire after serving only two and a half years of his sentence. The prison service spokesperson stated that Kyle Bevan’s death was verified on November 5 but refrained from providing further details pending a police investigation.
During his trial in 2023 at Swansea Crown Court, evidence showed that Lola suffered severe injuries resembling those of serious car crash victims due to the violent assault by her mother’s partner. Bevan initially alleged that Lola’s injuries occurred accidentally, attributing them to a fall down the stairs following an incident with the family dog. However, medical examinations revealed she had sustained 101 injuries, including critical brain trauma and severe retinal damage.
Despite pleading not guilty, Bevan was convicted of murder and received a life sentence. Lola’s mother, Sinead James, was also sentenced to six years in prison for her involvement in the child’s death. At the time of the tragic incident, James and Bevan had been in a relationship for a brief period after connecting on Facebook.
The presiding judge, Mr. Justice Griffiths, characterized Bevan’s assault as methodical, violent, and involving weapon use. He described it as an act of dominance over a defenseless child, the only individual Bevan could assert superiority over. Mr. Griffiths noted Bevan’s lack of remorse during the trial, highlighting his self-centered demeanor.
Authorities are currently investigating Bevan’s demise in custody in collaboration with the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. This incident follows the recent death of former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, who was fatally attacked in prison while serving a lengthy sentence for child sex crimes at HMP Wakefield.
