A killer boyfriend who battered his partner's toddler to death has been sentenced to life in prison for the horrific murder.
Kyle Bevan launched a frenzied and brutal attack on defenceless two-year-old Lola James at her home in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, reports WalesOnline. During the attack he left the little girl with the kind of injuries usually found in car crash victims. He had only been in a relationship with her mum, Sinead James, a few months after adding her on Facebook before moving in with her in early 2020 as the country went into lockdown.
After raining down blows on Lola in the attack in the middle of July 2020 he began searching for information on the internet about head injuries before taking photos and a video of her limp body in a sickening plot to try and cover his tracks. He instead, messaged his mother – a healthcare worker – who then raised the alarm. You can hear the call that she made here.
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Police later found that the toddler appeared to have been washed, with temporary tattoos she had on her arm scrubbed off, and her hair was soaking wet. A frozen hoody of hers, which was stained with vomit, was then hidden in a cupboard.
And while the rest of the family home was an absolute state the bathroom was suspiciously clean. You can read about this and see photos of the inside of the house here.
As Lola was rushed to hospital Bevan then concocted a story about how the toddler had been knocked down the stairs by the family dog – despite there being a baby gate on her room – as her mother slept. Drug user Bevan claimed he was innocent but refused to give evidence during his trial at Swansea Crown Court.
Jurors found him guilty of murder and he returns to court today where he faces a life sentence. James, 30, was found guilty of causing or allowing her daughter’s death.
Read about the evidence that convicted Bevan of murder here.
On Tuesday, Mr Justice Griffiths sentenced Bevan to 28 years in prison. James was sentenced to six years in prison - she will serve up to half that sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
It was accepted mother-of-three James was asleep at the time and did not take part in the vicious assault that led to her daughter’s death. However the prosecution argued that James, a previous victim of domestic violence, failed to protect Lola from Bevan, “instead choosing to prioritise her relationship with him over her own daughter’s physical safety".
She was granted bail ahead of today's hearing but has been warned she faces a jail sentence by Mr Justice Griffiths.
Speaking after the sentencing John Griffiths, a senior Crown prosecutor with Crown Prosecution Service Cymru, said: “Lola was a happy and beautiful little girl that was bursting with energy. Her life had barely started when these defendants snatched it away from her.
“Kyle Bevan described himself as Lola’s ‘step-father’ but his actions were anything but paternal. He had inflicted injuries on Lola in the past, but this time his aggression led to him murdering a defenceless child in his care.
“Lola should have been safe in her own home and surrounded by people that she could trust. But instead, her mother Sinead James allowed a violent and destructive man into their lives and failed in her duty to protect Lola from harm. James was well aware that Bevan was a danger, but she willingly chose to keep him in her life.
“The prosecution case included expert testimony which tore apart Bevan’s desperate and remorseless story that Lola had been killed after being knocked down the stairs by the family dog. This case has truly been heart-breaking for many, but today sees justice for Lola.”
He added: “Although nothing can bring Lola back, I hope these convictions and the sentences handed out by the court today go some way in comforting those who loved Lola. Our thoughts remain with them at this time. The CPS is absolutely committed to bringing violent offenders to justice and will leave no stone unturned in securing justice.”
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