Kyle Bevan: Child killer who murdered two-year-old Lola James found dead in cell, three inmates arrested

Three prison inmates have been arrested after a child killer who murdered a two-year-old girl was found dead in his cell.

Police were called to HMP Wakefield prison in West Yorkshire at 8.25am on Wednesday morning following a report of an inmates death.

The man was identified as Kyle Bevan, 33, who had been jailed for the murder of his partner’s two-year-old daughter Lola James in 2020.

West Yorkshire police said Bevan’s death is being treated as “suspicious” and investigations are underway to uncover the complete circumstances of the incident.

In a statement, police said three male prisoners have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

No further information about the incident or the identities of the inmates has been made available.

Bevan fatally injured Lola on July 17, 2020 by hitting her repeatedly in what Dyfed-Powys police called a “savage attack”.

The Swansea Crown Court was told Lola had sustained 101 external injuries which included bruises and grazes all over her body.

After the brutal assault, Lola was was left “limp and unresponsive”. Bevan did not raise the alarm and instead searched online for information on how to wake an unconscious child.

He then sent photos and videos of Lola to his own mother while his partner, Sinead James, was sleeping.

An entire hour passed before help was called to the Princess Royal Way home in Haverfordwest.

Lola was rushed to Withybush Hospital before she was transferred to University Hospital of Wales.

On July 21, 2020, just days after the attack, Lola tragically died from her injuries.

Prosecutor Caroline Rees said Lola was the victim of a “brutal, frenzied and violent attack at the hands of somebody she should have been able to trust”.

After the guilty verdict was returned, senior investigating officer Gareth Roberts said Bevan had been “consumed by his own self-preservation”.

“Lola had 101 external injuries to her body and her death was caused by a catastrophic brain injury, likely caused by blunt force trauma (punching / slapping), shaking or a combination of both,” Mr Roberts said.

“Bevan delayed raising the alarm and seeking medical attention for at least an hour after he inflicted the fatal injuries and in the time since he has shown no remorse, emotion or any care for Lola.

“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 on the 17th of July 2020 were deliberate, abhorrent and evil.”

On April 25, 2023 Bevan was handed a life sentence with a minimum period of 28 years.

James was convicted of causing or allowing the child’s death, and was jailed for six years.