Life for man who beat teen to death at caravan park

A teenager holidaymaker was beaten to death in a tragic case of mistaken identity - when his killer mistook him for an ex-girlfriend's former partner.

Conner Marshall, 18, was hit with a pole and stripped naked by David Braddon.

Braddon, 26, was today jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years for the murder of the innocent teenager at a Porthcawl caravan park.

The court heard Braddon had shouted abuse at A-level student Conner after spotting him walking around the holiday park.

Hannah Thomas reports from Cardiff Crown Court:

Jeff Mark, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wales, said in March this year, Conner Marshall set off for Porthcawl to visit friends at a holiday park and tragically ended up losing his life as a result of "a senseless, brutal and sustained attack" by David Braddon.

Prosecutor Michael Jones said, "He believed he was confronting his ex-girlfriend's former partner, a man called Adam Malyn. The pair wrestled until Mr Marshall passed out, Braddon "stomped" on his face, kicked his ribs and hit him repeatedly with a pole.

"Braddon then stripped Mr Marshall naked because he wanted to humiliate him. He punched him again but after checking his face, realised it was the wrong person."

Cardiff Crown Court heard Braddon asked Mr Marshall if he was all right - before going back to his own caravan with "blood all over his face".

Conner and two friends had gone to spend the weekend at the Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl, in March. The three went to a number of pubs in the seaside town before they returned to the park at 1am.

But Conner was alone when he was confronted by Braddon - and went through the severe beating. Conner, of Barry, south Wales, was found seven hours later by early morning campers. He died four days later in hospital.

The court heard Braddon had taken 50 Valium tablets, as well as cocaine, and had been drinking alcohol. During police interview he said he went out that night intending to have have a fight but his "mind wasn't to kill someone".

He later admitted "he went over the top" in the attack.

Heath Edwards, defending, said: "He makes no excuses for his actions and deeply regrets the heartache he had caused Mr Marshall's family."

Braddon fled to Scotland to escape justice but was later arrested in Glasgow.

In a statement, Conner's mother Nadine said: "Words alone cannot describe the impact that this has had on all our lives."

A family tribute described the teenager as "a unique, caring and compassionate young man with a warm, infectious smile complete with a cheeky wink".

Braddon, of Caerphilly, admitted murder and was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years.

Mr Justice Wyn Willimas said Braddon subjected his victim to a "sustained and brutal" assault and the aggravating features were the significant degree of planning and the horrific physical suffering.