Three men deny murder of child killer at HMP Wakefield

Three prisoners have denied murdering a child killer who was found dead in his cell.

Kyle Bevan, 33, who had been jailed for life for murdering his partner’s two-year-old daughter Lola James in Pembrokeshire in 2020, was found dead at HMP Wakefield on 5 November.

Lee Newell, 56, and another defendant who cannot be named for legal reasons appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video links to deny the offence earlier.

Mark Fellows, 45, did not attend the hearing but his barrister said he denied the offence and a not guilty plea was entered.

Judge Guy Kearl KC said a trial lasting up to four weeks will be held in June.

Bevan was sentenced to a minimum term of 28 years in prison after a court was told that he had inflicted “catastrophic” brain injuries on the toddler in a “brutal” assault in her family home.

Lola was attacked on the night between 16 and 17 July 2020 while she was in the care of Bevan, from Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, and was left with 101 surface injuries on her body.

Sinead James, Lola’s mother, was sentenced to six years for causing or allowing her daughter’s death at her home.

Bevan had denied murdering Lola but was convicted in 2023.

His death came less than a month after paedophile singer Ian Watkins, 48, was killed at the same prison.

The former Lostprophets frontman died from a stab wound to the neck, an inquest opening heard.