Man serving life for killing toddler allegedly attacked by fellow inmates for 4 minutes and 39 seconds: ‘They left him for dead’

A trial is currently underway at Leeds Crown Court, United Kingdom, following an incident at HMP Wakefield that resulted in the death of 33-year-old inmate Kyle Bevan. Prosecutors allege that three fellow prisoners followed Bevan into his cell on November 4 last year, carrying out a fatal attack. According to the BBC, the three men standing trial for the murder are Mark Fellows, 45, David Taylor, 64, and Lee Newell, 57.

The prosecution, led by Jason Pitter KC, described the events as a coordinated effort to end Bevan’s life. Bevan, who was serving a life sentence for the 2020 murder of his partner’s two-year-old daughter, Lola James, in Pembrokeshire, was reported to be found dead in his cell during a morning roll call. Pitter told the jury that the attack was calculated, stating, “Four minutes and 39 seconds – that is how long it took. They left as if nothing had happened.”

Pitter stated, “They left him for dead, one after the other. Not before, though, putting him to bed. Leaving him as if asleep. And there it was that he, on his bed, bled out.” The prosecution noted that the men appeared to be in a “satisfied, job done” mood as they exited the cell. 

Based on evidence, investigators posit that the attack was aggressive

Per the BBC, Pitter claimed Bevan “was stabbed and injured over 30 times, with at least one and probably more than one weapon.” The prosecution noted that his heart and major blood vessels were slashed during the attack. 

Jurors were also told that he was stabbed with a sharp weapon, and one wound even damaged bone. The prosecution argued that each of the three defendants participated in the killing, at the very least by encouraging one another, and that all involved had the clear intent to kill or cause serious harm.

The Daily Mail further reported that Jurors were told of existing tensions at HMP Wakefield. Pitter highlighted that approximately 77 percent of the prison population at the time were considered vulnerable prisoners, or VPs, a category that often includes individuals who have committed crimes involving “particular moral repugnancy,” such as offenses against children.

Two of the alleged murderers fall under the category of ‘main prisoners.’ These were prisoners of a ‘different caliber,’ and included prisoners who were convicted for crimes such as gangland offences and murder. Per the records, both Fellows and Newell were serving life in prison for murder.

While Bevan was classified as VP, Pitter noted that he generally “kept himself to himself” and wasn’t known to be associated with the defendants. Despite this, the court heard that there was bullying directed toward VPs.

Evidence presented during the trial reportedly included surveillance footage and physical items discovered by prison staff. Prosecutors stated that the defendants disposed of an item of clothing belonging to Fellows that was stained with blood, and that Newell had visible blood on his hands following the incident. 

The NY Post reported that a search of the facility later turned up a makeshift weapon, specifically a folded piece of metal, hidden behind a television. That item was found to have Bevan’s blood on it. 

Additionally, other weapons were reportedly discovered in Taylor’s cell, hidden inside a bottle of chili sauce. While not definitively linked to this specific incident, the prosecution used this finding to demonstrate that the defendants had “easy access” to weapons.

The Daily Mail noted that the prosecution also provided details about interactions between the defendants after the incident. During a transfer out of the prison, a nurse allegedly overheard Taylor shouting to Newell, “Nice working with you and the Ice Man.” 

The court was told that “Ice Man” was a nickname for Fellows. Pitter asked the jury, “What was the work that they had done together with the Ice Man? We say that was the killing of Bevan and them operating together to do it.”

This event reportedly occurred less than a month after another high-profile death at the same prison, where paedophile singer Ian Watkins was fatally stabbed in the neck. All three defendants, Fellows, Taylor, and Newell, have entered pleas of not guilty to the charge of murder. 

Unfortunately, deaths within prisons aren’t uncommon. Recently, a Chicago prison saw the death of multiple prisoners, which, upon investigation, was tied to drugs soaked into books. Last year, Stephanie Brinson was allegedly strangled to death during an overnight conjugal visit with her husband.