Men still questioned over murder of child killer

Kyle Bevan was jailed for murdering two-year-old Lola James in 2020

Three inmates arrested on suspicion of murdering a child killer in a West Yorkshire prison remain in custody for questioning, police said.

Officers were called to HMP Wakefield at 08:25 GMT on Wednesday following reports of a man being found dead in his cell, West Yorkshire Police said.

The Prison Service confirmed the man was 33-year-old Kyle Bevan, who was jailed for life for murdering his partner's two-year-old daughter Lola James in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, in 2020.

In an update on Thursday evening, police said three men aged 45, 57 and 63 had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remained in police custody.

Det Ch Insp James Entwistle of West Yorkshire Police said: "After extensive inquiries into Mr Bevan's death we are now treating this as a murder.

"We are seeking to establish the full circumstances and as part of this continue to question three men in custody.

"His family are being kept updated as the investigation progresses."

Bevan inflicted "catastrophic" brain injuries on the toddler in a "brutal" assault in her family home, his sentencing hearing in 2023 was told.

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

The judge, Mr Justice Martin Griffiths, described Bevan's actions as "an assertion of superiority over the only person he could feel superior to – a helpless child".

Lola James was descibed in court as "happy" and "beautiful"

Bevan, from Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, was ordered to serve at least 28 years in jail.

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

The incident comes less than a month after the death of the paedophile singer Ian Watkins, who was fatally stabbed at the same prison on 11 October.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "HMP Wakefield prisoner Kyle Bevan's death was confirmed on 5 November.

"We are unable to comment further while the police investigate."

The incident comes less than a month after the death of paedophile singer Ian Watkins at the high-security jail

In September, an inspection report found levels of violence at HMP Wakefield had increased.

Speaking at the time, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said it had "taken further action in high-security prisons such as Wakefield to reduce violence".

Andrea Coomber, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said HMP Wakefield was under similar pressures to other prisons but was "insulated" due to its status.

"Because it is of a higher security clearance, it actually has more guarantees of staffing and resource than lots of other jails have," she said.

"So in some ways, Wakefield should actually be doing better and be safer."

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