A prisoner serving a life sentence for the murder of his partner’s toddler has been found dead in his cell, Sky News reports. Kyle Bevan, 31, was convicted in November 2022 of murdering 19-month-old Lola James in July 2020.
Bevan was discovered unresponsive at HMP Parc in Bridgend,South Wales,on Tuesday,February 27,2024.South Wales Police and the Prison service have launched investigations into the death,which is currently being treated as unexplained. The incident raises questions about safety within the UK prison system and re-opens wounds for Lola’s mother, Sinead James, who testified during Bevan’s trial about the devastating loss of her daughter.
During the trial, the court heard Bevan had inflicted catastrophic injuries on Lola at their home in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. He was found guilty of murder after a jury heard he had violently shaken and thrown the toddler.Judge Mr justice Griffiths stated he was certain Bevan “was responsible for multiple assaults on the children before he murdered Lola.”
Lola’s mother, Sinead James, described Bevan as a “monster” who “needs to rot in hell” during her testimony. She also stated, “If I had got him out of the house, my daughter would still be alive today.”
A Serious Case Review following Lola’s death identified “a number of missed opportunities by the health visiting service.” The review found James had declined home visits between February 15, 2020, and July 16, 2020, and concluded that “far more probing and challenge is needed by health visitors” in future cases.
Bevan was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison. The Prison Service confirmed the death and stated, ”A Wales Police investigation is underway.”
