Lola James: 'Monster' Kyle Bevan found guilty of 'helpless' two-year-old's murder

Warning: Report and article contains details some readers may find distressing

A "helpless" toddler who died after suffering a "brutal and extremely violent assault" was murdered by her mother's boyfriend.

Lola died on 21 July 2020 of “catastrophic” head trauma after suffering more than 100 external injuries at the hands of Bevan in a "frenzied” attack.

Kyle Bevan, 31, was found guilty by a unanimous jury at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Lola's mother, Sinead James, who was accused of causing or allowing the death of a child, was also found guilty.

Kyle Bevan was the boyfriend of Lola's mother and only moved into the family home four months before Lola's death.

He denied any wrongdoing but was found unanimously guilty by a jury at Swansea Crown Court after two days of deliberation.

Prosecutors said mum, James, failed to protect her daughter when she allowed Bevan with a "nasty and violent temper" to move into their home.

Lola's brain injuries were compared with those found in car crash victims.

James claimed she was asleep at the time - and said had no reason to think her partner would hurt her daughter.

Sinead James was found guilty of causing or allowing her daughter's death Credit: Athena Picture Agency

But it was the prosecution’s case 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."

During the four-week trial prosecutor Caroline Rees KC said Bevan, a self-confessed “spice head”, had launched a “murderous” attack on Lola and used the hours after to cover his tracks instead of calling for an ambulance.

The court heard Lola had previously sustained injuries including a damaged nose, black eyes and a cut lip while in Bevan’s care.

Bevan claimed the family dog caused the injuries by pushing her down the stairs.

The jury found that not to be true and on Tuesday afternoon, delivered their unanimous verdicts to the judge.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Roberts of Dyfed-Powys Police welcomed the verdict outside Swansea Crown Court and said Bevan's actions were abhorrent, deliberate and evil.

The court heard Lola had previously sustained injuries including a damaged nose, black eyes and a cut lip while in Bevan’s care Credit: CPS/PA

He said: "Lola died on July 21, 2020, as a result of horrendous injuries which were inflicted by Kyle Bevan in what must have been a frenzied and extremely violent attack on a helpless two-year-old child.

"Consumed by his own self-preservation, Bevan lied and fabricated an accidental stair fall to try and cover his tracks but, with the help of medical experts, we have been able to prove that his actions were deliberate, abhorrent and evil.

Lola James's biological father, Daniel Thomas, said in a statement released by Dyfed-Powys Police said:

"The pain and grief I feel every time I close my eyes and see your perfect little face is unbearable.

Lola's biological father, Daniel Thomas (right) Credit: Media Wales

"Even to say your name shatters my heart to know you can't hear my voice anymore.

"I'm so sorry your short life was filled with so much pain. You are so loved Lola and so missed every single day. A great team with much passion has worked together for this day since you've left us."

The children's charity NSPCC called for a child practice review following Lola's death to determine whether "more could have been done by agencies to save her".

NSPCC Cymru’s Assistant Director Tracey Holdsworth said: “This is another tragic case where a young child has died at the hands of those who she depended on.

“Lola deserved a happy and healthy future, but that was cruelly taken away by the horrendous actions of Kyle Bevan and the failure of her mother, Sinead James, to intervene. 

Lola James was described as a ‘happy, bubbly, beautiful’ little girl. Credit: Media Wales

“The Child Practice Review into Lola’s death must establish whether more could have been done by agencies to save her, and drive the action required to help prevent such tragic cases in the future.

“Now is the time to make child protection a national priority. The Welsh Government has rightly committed to transforming children’s social care and it’s crucial this leads to systemic changes that ensure children like Lola are better protected.

“We can all look out for children’s welfare, and anyone concerned about a child can call the NSPCC free helpline on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk. If a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.”

Bevan and James will be sentenced on 25 April.