In court, it was revealed that a prisoner reportedly exclaimed “nice doing business with you” to two fellow inmates following the fatal stabbing of Kyle Bevan, a convicted child killer. Bevan, who murdered his two-year-old stepdaughter Lola James, was attacked 25 times in his cell at HMP Wakefield last November before being laid to rest.
The accused, Lee Newell, David Taylor, and Mark Fellows, are currently on trial at Leeds Crown Court for Bevan’s murder. Bevan, a vulnerable prisoner, was housed on the fourth floor, while the three defendants, who had prior interactions, were located two floors below him.
According to Prosecutor Jason Pitter KC, there was an escalation in communication between the defendants leading up to the incident, indicating premeditation. Taylor was overheard making remarks post-attack, including a declaration of cooperation with his fellow inmates.
During the trial, Mr. Pitter highlighted the defendants’ history of murder convictions to suggest a propensity for such crimes. He emphasized that while past offenses should not solely dictate guilt, they can support the prosecution’s case.
The prosecutor detailed the swift and coordinated nature of the attack, which lasted less than five minutes. None of the defendants chose to testify, with Mr. Pitter suggesting their silence indicated an inability to refute the evidence presented.
The trial is ongoing, with the prosecution maintaining that the defendants must be held accountable for their actions within the prison’s established rules and regulations.
