A man has been convicted of murder and jailed for life after he punched a pub-goer who he felt was making fun of his girlfriend’s karaoke performance. Christopher Cooper, 39, delivered a single blow to 64-year-old Kelvin Evans as he stepped outside the Station Hotel in Swansea on 26 May 2023. Judge Geraint Walters said Cooper appeared to have been “slighted” after Mr Evans and his partner exchanged a glance as Catherine Tracy Francis sang. Cooper followed Mr Evans and punched him from behind, knocking him unconscious. He died a month later. Cooper had admitted manslaughter but denied murder. Francis was convicted of assisting an offender.
Cooper was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years for the “cowardly” attack. Francis, 54, was given a two-year prison sentence for helping Cooper. The couple had been at the pub, locally known as The Gyp when the attack occurred. During the trial, it was revealed that Francis was aware of Cooper’s assault but did not inform the police.
Judge Walters told Cooper that his fists were capable of causing “really serious bodily harm” and he believed it was “an act effectively of revenge.” Cooper bragged about the incident after it had happened, calling his fists “these bad boys.” Judge Walters stated that Cooper exhibited no remorse during the trial and that it was “chilling” to hear him talk about the incident.
Kelvin Evans’ family has described him as a “wonderful, loving, funny son, brother, uncle and friend”. He was also known to enjoy trips in his camper van “Bella”, often taking loved ones for excursions. His mother, who is 92 years old, said that she cannot stop looking at her son’s photograph each morning and night. In the court hearing, the family expressed their profound sadness over losing Mr Evans in such a “cowardly attack”. Cooper and Francis’ lies were criticised as “disrespectful and disturbing” by Mr Evans’ nephew
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