Lola James: Mother and her ‘monster’ partner jailed over two-year-old’s murder in Pembrokeshire

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2023

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A mother and her “monster” partner have been jailed over the death of a two-year-old girl.

Kyle Bevan, 31, was given a life sentence for murdering Lola James, the daughter of his partner, in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, with a minimum term of 28 years.

Lola’s mother, Sinead James, was sentenced to six years for causing or allowing her death – but will serve half before she’s eligible for release.

The attack at the hands of Bevan took place on 17 July 2020, with Lola dying four days later.

Medical experts noted 101 separate injuries to her body, including a “catastrophic” brain injury.

Judge Mr Justice Griffiths said he was sure Bevan “was responsible for multiple assaults on the children before he murdered Lola”.

“He [Bevan] didn’t get emergency help, he didn’t wake Lola’s mum up. Instead he tried to cover his tracks,” the judge added.

“He moved Lola’s body around, callously photographing it and even filming it at one stage.”

Before sentencing, Lola’s grandmother, Nicola James, appealed directly to Bevan, saying: “Look at me Kyle.”

He barely reacted and showed no sign of remorse, while James was in floods of tears.

“There isn’t a single moment of any day that I don’t think of Lola,” said Ms James.

“Lola was nearly three when she was killed, she had her whole life ahead of her. She’ll never grow up, never get old.”

The court heard Lola was a “charming, smiley, bubbly, mischievous little girl”.

Ms James ended her statement by again speaking directly to Bevan in the dock.

“Kyle. You took the young innocent life of my granddaughter,” she said. “You killed my Lola and you have broken her family.”

Daniel Thomas, Lola’s father, said his daughter was “as bright as the golden sun” in a statement read on his behalf.

“Lola won’t have another birthday or ride a bike or listen to her favourite story,” he said.

“I will never get to meet my daughter as a teenager or a woman.”

He said he missed his daughter “every single day”.

‘Pushed by the dog’

Bevan, from Aberystwyth, claimed Lola had fallen down the stairs after the family dog – an American bulldog – pushed her.

During the trial, Sinead James called Bevan a “monster” who “needs to rot in hell”.

“If I had got him out of the house my daughter would still be alive today,” she said.

The judge described Lola’s mother as “very remorseful” and “genuinely devastated” about her death.

But he said James did not live in fear of Bevan and, when she wanted to, could “remove herself and her children from Kyle Bevan and to berate him when she thought he deserved it”.

The judge added that she showed a “failure to respond to warnings about Kyle Bevan and his behaviour”.

During the four-week trial at Swansea Crown Court, the jury heard how Lola was murdered as Sinead James was asleep upstairs.

She said Bevan had woken her at around 7.20am to tell her Lola had fallen down the stairs and that the dog had “pushed her”.

She told 999 operators Lola’s face was “swollen” and she was “really scared” after finding her unresponsive on the sofa.

Police believed Bevan had tried to clean the bath after putting Lola in there – as the rest of the house was generally dirty – either to try to revive her or clean her of blood and vomit.

Investigators found a grey onesie stained by both in the corner of the living room.

NSPCC Cymru has called for child protection to be made a “national priority” following Lola’s death.

The charity’s assistant director, Tracey Holdsworth, said the girl’s future had been “cruelly taken away”.

“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,” she added.

UK

David Beckham says knighthood ‘truly humbling’ – as rock star and acting great also honoured

Published

3 hours ago

June 14, 2025

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David Beckham says knighthood 'truly humbling' - as rock star and acting great also honoured

David Beckham has called it “truly humbling” and an “emotional moment” to be made a knight in the King’s Birthday Honours.

The former England captain receives the honour alongside The Who frontman Roger Daltrey and Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman.

Singer and actress Elaine Paige, novelist Pat Baker, and former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt have been awarded damehoods.

Meanwhile, Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman, as well as darts stars Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, will all get MBEs.

Beckham was made an OBE in 2003, but now finally becomes Sir David after being in the running for many years. He gets the honour for his services to sport and charity.

Sir David was said to be close to a knighthood in 2014, but reportedly lost out after HM Customs and Revenue flagged his involvement in an alleged tax avoidance scheme.

“Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour,” he told PA news agency.

“To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career, and literally a boyhood dream come true,” added the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star.

Sir David, who recently turned 50, was seen chatting to the King the day before his honour was announced as part of his role as an ambassador for the monarch’s foundation.

He said he’d been fortunate to “represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation”.

Sir David added: “I’m so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I’m grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment.

“It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I’m immensely proud and it’s such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.”

On the music front, The Who’s singer got a knighthood at age 81.

Sir Roger – known for hits such as My Generation and Pinball Wizard – led the Teenage Cancer Trust at Royal Albert Hall concert series for more than two decades.

“It’s kind of weird, but I am deeply honoured to get this, especially for the charity for the Teenage Cancer Trust, and I accept it on their behalf really, because this honour is really for all unsung heroes,” said Sir Roger.

“It’s a dream come true for me, but it’s especially a dream because the charity means so much.”

TV presenter Tess Daly called her MBE “the greatest surprise of my life”.

“I don’t think I’ve come back down to earth yet,” she told PA. “I didn’t see it coming, and it almost didn’t happen because the letter went to the wrong address.

“And thank goodness someone very kind found me. And so by the time I got it, I only had, I think it was two or three days left to accept it.”

Her co-star on Strictly, Claudia Winkleman, said she was “incredibly grateful” to be recognised.

“I will buy a hat and am taking my mum [to receive the honour]. I am ridiculously lucky and will celebrate with Tess by doing a paso doble,” she said.

West End legend Elaine Page – who has starred in shows such as Cats and Evita – was also honoured for services to music and charity.

The singer said she was in “shock” at becoming a dame

“I’ve got all these different emotions coming at me all at once,” said the 77-year-old. I’m proud and I feel grateful and I’m thrilled and surprised, and so it’s been quite a lot to take in.”

Dame Elaine has roles at two charities – The Children’s Trust and The Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, which supports disabled tennis players.

She’s also presented a BBC radio show for more than 20 years.

More than 1,200 people from across the country were given honours in the latest list, including Sky Group chief executive Dana Strong – awarded a CBE for services to business and the media.

Eleven-year-old disability campaigner Carmela Chillery-Watson is the youngest to be recognised after helping raise more than £400,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

The oldest is 106-year-old William Irwin, founder of the Coleraine Winemakers Club, who gets a BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to the community.

However, the top accolade has been awarded to sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, the man behind the Angel of the North, who is made Companion of Honour for services to art.

There can only be 65 companions at any one time.

Other notable names on the list include former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt – who famously had a prominent role holding a sword at the King’s coronation – and is now a dame; and former EastEnders actress Anita Dobson, who gets an OBE.

UK

Air India plane crash: Only survivor thought he was ‘going to die’

Published

15 hours ago

June 13, 2025

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Air India plane crash: Only survivor thought he was 'going to die'

The only survivor of the Air India plane crash says he thought he was “going to die”.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, managed to walk away from the wreckage. He was “disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body… but he seems to be out of danger”, according to a doctor who examined him.

There had been 242 people on board flight AI171 when it came down. Among the passengers and crew on the Gatwick-bound aircraft were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a doctors’ hostel in a residential area on Thursday, moments after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India.

India plane crash: Follow live updates

Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior police officer in Ahmedabad, said Mr Ramesh was sat in seat 11A, located next to an emergency exit, and “managed to escape by jumping out the emergency door”.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Ramesh said he “still can’t believe” he survived.

He said he thought he “was also going to die” but he then “opened [his] eyes”.

“I pulled out the belt from under my seat and tried to escape. Then I managed to do it,” he told DD India.

Mr Ramesh said “within the first mile” after take-off “it felt like the plane was stuck” and “like something had happened”.

“Then a light came on, like a green and white light came on inside the plane,” he added.

“The pilot was trying to give it a bit of a push to push it forward, but it was struggling. But it went straight into a building.”

He said the side where he landed was not the hostel side and as soon as the plane door broke, he “could see that it was open for [him] and [he had] a chance to get out”.

He said that his brother, Ajay, was seated in a different row on the plane. “He was travelling with me and I can’t find him anymore. Please help me find him,” he told the Hindustan Times.

‘Bodies all around me’

Mr Ramesh continued: “It all happened so quickly. When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me.

“Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”

From his hospital bed, Mr Ramesh also met India’s prime minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking in Leicester, Mr Ramesh’s brother Nayan told Sky’s Shamaan Freeman-Powell that their father was on the phone to Mr Ramesh while the plane was still on the runway.

“My dad called him,” the 27-year-old said. “And Vishwash said ‘oh we’re going to take off soon’.”

Two minutes later, their father received a video call from Mr Ramesh to say the plane had crashed and he had survived.

“He video-called my dad as he crashed and said ‘Oh the plane’s crashed. I don’t know where my brother is. I don’t see any other passengers. I don’t know how I’m alive – how I exited the plane’,” Nayan said.

Air India has confirmed 229 passengers and 12 crew members died, but authorities have not confirmed how many people on the ground were killed or injured.

Who were the victims?

Among the British citizens killed in the crash were Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa, and their four-year-old daughter Sara.

Gloucester Muslim Community said in a statement on Facebook that “no words can truly ease the pain of such a profound loss”.

Also on the flight were married couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek from west London, who had posted a video from the airport on their Instagram feed shortly before boarding.

Gatwick Airport said in a statement that a reception centre was being set up where information and support will be provided for relatives of those on board.

Tata Sons, Air India’s owner, said it would give around £86,000 to the families of each person who died, cover the medical costs of those injured and support the rebuild of the medical hostel.

British nationals who require consular assistance are advised to call 020 7008 5000, while Air India has set up hotlines to provide information on +91 806 2779 200 for foreign nationals or 1800 5691 444 if calling from India.

UK

UK calls for restraint after Israel launches airstrikes on Iran

Published

15 hours ago

June 13, 2025

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UK calls for restraint after Israel launches airstrikes on Iran

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for “restraint” and “diplomacy” after Israel launched a barrage of airstrikes on Iran early on Friday.

He called reports of Israel’s so-called Operation Rising Lion “concerning”, but stopped short of condemning it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had targeted the “heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme”, which he feared would eventually be aimed at Israel.

Iran promised “severe punishment” for the attacks, which killed several top commanders and nuclear scientists, and launched 100 drones towards Israel in an initial response.

Follow latest: Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear sites

In a statement on Friday, Mr Starmer urged “all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently”.

He added: “Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate.

“Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”

The UK does not appear to have been warned in advance of Israel’s plan to attack Iran.

David Lammy, the foreign secretary, had been due to travel to Washington on Friday to meet his American counterpart.

The trip was cancelled once it became known that Israel had launched its operation.

A Whitehall source said the late cancellation of Mr Lammy’s travel plans indicated the UK had not been alerted in advance to the timing of the attack.

However, the UK had been aware of the increasing likelihood of an Israeli mission to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, given the rhetoric from the Israeli government in recent weeks.

Mr Lammy called it a “dangerous moment” and said “stability in the Middle East is vital for global security”.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, British industry minister Sarah Jones also said the UK had not been involved in the Israeli military operation.

It is understood British warplanes are not currently involved in helping to defend Israel’s skies from any Iranian counterattacks.

This could change as the situation develops.

Additional forces could well be sent to a key Royal Air Force base in Cyprus, where Typhoon jets are stationed.

The deployment of reinforcements to RAF Akrotiri has happened in the past during times of crisis in the Middle East.

The US also said it had not been involved in Israel’s attack on Iran, and warned against any retaliation targeting American interests or personnel.

US President Donald Trump had previously urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iran while Washington negotiates a nuclear deal with the country.

In his first public comment about the attacks, he again urged Iran to reach a deal with Washington on its nuclear programme, warning on his Truth Social platform that Israel’s attacks “will only get worse”.

Without saying whether he was privy to specific Israeli plans, the US president said “there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end”.

But China, Saudi Arabia and Russia condemned Israel’s strikes, while Japan called the use of military force “deeply regrettable”.

Russia’s foreign ministry called the attack “unprovoked” and “categorically unacceptable” and said it was in breach of the United Nations charter.

Spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry Lin Jian said: “China opposes the violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, opposes the intensification of contradictions, the expansion of conflicts, and the sudden
rise in temperature of the regional situation.”

Takeshi Iwaya, Japan’s foreign minister, said: “Amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including talks between the United States and Iran, to achieve a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, the use of military force is deeply regrettable.”