A thug who murdered a defenceless pub-goer with a single punch in a “cowardly attack” has been jailed for life. Kelvin Evans, 64, was left gravely ill in hospital after being attacked by Christopher Cooper outside The Station Hotel in Gorseinon, in South Wales, in May this year. He died a month later.
Cooper admitted manslaughter but denied murder, claiming Mr Evans had been the aggressor and had threatened to “glass” his girlfriend over her performance at the karaoke machine – though he refused to give evidence to the jury at Swansea Crown Court, reports WalesOnline.
Prosecution barrister Andrew Jones KC called Cooper’s claims “ludicrous” and “an insult to everyone’s intelligence”. The 39-year-old was convicted of murder and his partner, 54-year-old Tracy Francis, was convicted of assisting an offender for her role in trying to cover up the killing. The pair returned to the dock today to be sentenced.
Cooper murdered Mr Jones outside the Station Hotel – locally known as The Gyp – on Sunday, May 26, by delivering a single powerful blow to his victim from behind which sent him crashing to the floor, the court heard. He later boasted about hitting Mr Evans with “these bad boys” while raising his fists. In the aftermath of the assault he and Francis quickly left the scene by car, changed their clothes, and set about booking themselves into a hotel away from Swansea.
At the court hearing today, Cooper was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years. The judge told the defendant he may never be released but in any event cannot apply for parole until he has served at least 16 years. Cooper shouted abuse as he was taken down to the cells.
Kelvin Evans
(Image: Family photograph / South Wales Police)
Sentencing Francis to two years in prison, the judge said she had shown “no remorse whatsoever” as demonstrated by the “hurtful way” she had behaved in court. He said the message needs to be heard that those who willingly try to impede justice, particularly in a case of homicide, and then brazenly lie in support of those actions should expect immediate custody.
Speaking after the sentencing, South Wales Police detective inspector David Butt said: “We are pleased to see that justice has been done in court. Christopher Cooper’s senseless attack has cost Kelvin Evans his life and has done untold damage to the lives of his family and friends.
“Kelvin Evans should have been able to return home safely to his family following a night out on a Sunday night in May last year. Instead, his family will never be able to forget that night. I hope that they receive some comfort from today’s sentencing, and that they can now begin to grieve the loss of Kelvin.
Christopher Cooper (left) and Tracy Francis
“Meanwhile, Tracy Francis’s sentence should be seen as a warning against assisting offenders to evade justice – this will not work and will only result in those assisting being made to face justice too.”
He added: “I would like to thank the landlord, staff, and regulars of the Station Hotel Gorseinon, who went to Kelvin’s aid following the attack and also provided vital support and assistance to the Police investigation.
“Taking drugs and drinking too much alcohol affects your decision-making. It can make people vulnerable to becoming a victim or a perpetrator. As this case and so many others in the past have shown, just one punch can have a completely life-changing impact upon both the perpetrator and the victim. In a split-second, someone can become a killer, and someone can be killed. If you ever find yourself in this situation, we urge you: please, take a step back, and walk away.”
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