Full Breakdown
Murder of Inmate Kyle Bevan at HMP Wakefield
6/10/2026, 8:57:36 PM
Attack
On 4 Nov 2023, 33-year-old inmate Kyle Bevan was stabbed 25 times inside his cell at HMP Wakefield, West Yorkshire. CCTV showed three prisoners—Mark Fellows, Lee Newell and David Taylor—enter, exit after four minutes 39 seconds, and leave Bevan lying in his bed. He bled to death and was found the next morning.
Background
Bevan was serving a life sentence with a 28-year minimum after being convicted of murdering his partner’s two-year-old daughter, Lola James, in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, in 2020. About 77 percent of Wakefield’s inmates were classified as vulnerable prisoners (VPs). The wing’s “open-door” policy allowed VPs to mix freely with main prisoners (MPs) during “association”.
Key Figures
Kyle Bevan – convicted child-killer serving life.
Mark Fellows – two murder terms, nicknamed “Iceman”.
Lee Newell and David Taylor – co-defendants; Taylor allegedly shouted “Nice working with you and the iceman”.
Jason Pitter KC – lead prosecutor.
Key Dates
Key dates: In July 2020 Lola James was attacked and died; Bevan was convicted in 2023 and sentenced to life. On 4 Nov 2023 Bevan entered his cell and was stabbed; on 10 June 2024 Fellows, Newell and Taylor appeared at Leeds Crown Court as the trial began.
Statistics
- 25 stab wounds pierced Bevan’s jugular vein, aorta and heart.
- 77 % of inmates on the wing were vulnerable prisoners.
- CCTV captured a 4 minute 39 second interval between Bevan’s entry and the defendants’ exit.
Prosecution Statement
Prosecutor Jason Pitter said the three men acted in concert, noting blood on each inmate’s clothing and a folded metal piece found with Bevan’s blood. He stressed the open-door regime was not for the jury to evaluate, but it contributed to heightened tension between VPs and MPs. No defence statements were reported.
Criticism
Pitter’s testimony criticises Wakefield’s mixing policy, arguing that lack of segregation between VPs and MPs created an environment where coordinated violence could occur, framing prison management as a factor that may have facilitated the fatal assault.
Quotes
- “The trio emerged displaying ‘something of a satisfied, job-done mood’.” — Jason Pitter KC
- “All three of them participated in the attack in that small cell on Bevan, supporting and encouraging each other.” — Jason Pitter KC
- “Whilst there may be an obvious temptation to question the need and wisdom of that regime, the mixing of the prisoners … contributed to a situation where there was tension, in an obvious direction, between those groups of prisoners.” — Jason Pitter KC
- “Iceman, being the nickname for Fellows.” — Jason Pitter KC
Future
The trial of Fellows, Newell and Taylor continues at Leeds Crown Court. Further hearings will determine guilt and sentencing, while the case raises questions about prisoner classification and safety protocols at HMP Wakefield.
