A man who murdered a defenceless pub-goer with a single punch in a “cowardly attack” is being sentenced. Kelvin Evans, 64, was left gravely ill in hospital after being attacked by Christopher Cooper outside The Station Hotel in Gorseinon 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. 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 return 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. 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. You can read detailed coverage of the trial here
Mr Evans, a well-known figure in Gorseinon, died in hospital a month after the assault. Hundreds of people lined the streets of his hometown for his funeral. In a tribute following his death, Mr Evans’ family described him as a “wonderful” and “loving” man, who was a “friend to so many”. Speaking to WalesOnline following the funeral, his family said that around 300 people had turned up to show their respect. The family said: “We were just overwhelmed by the number of people who came to his funeral as there were so many. There were around 300 of them there to celebrate his life and they lined the streets in Gorseinon for him.”
Christopher Cooper, of Tralwer Road, Swansea Marina, and Catherine Tracy Francis – known as Tracy – of Goring Road, Llanelli, were remanded into custody following their convictions.
You can follow the sentencing hearing on the blog below: