A man stands accused of a grave crime, facing allegations of taking the life of his ex-girlfriend's new partner in a tragic incident that unfolded at a children's playground. The courtroom proceedings unveiled a harrowing narrative, asserting that Kyle Morley, the defendant, had purportedly launched a violent attack, commencing with a brutal punch to his former girlfriend, Katie Lamb's face. Following this, Morley is said to have turned his aggression toward David Bettison, who was caught in a vulnerable state with his pants around his ankles.
Morley's alleged actions escalated, leading him to punch, kick, and even stomp on Mr. Bettison, inflicting grievous injuries to his face that left him unable to breathe. The heart-wrenching incident transpired at Hugglescote, Leicestershire park on February 24, 2023, ultimately resulting in the unfortunate demise of Mr. Bettison.
In a courtroom setting at Leicester Crown Court, Kyle Morley entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of murder and attempted murder. However, the 29-year-old, residing on St Bernards Road, Whitwick, near Coalville, did admit to the physical assaults on both 23-year-old Miss Lamb and 43-year-old Mr. Bettison.
In his statement to detectives following his apprehension, Morley conceded to assaulting Mr. Bettison but vehemently denied any intention to cause him serious harm. He cited being "heavily intoxicated" and under the influence of class-A drugs at the time of the incident, as reported by Leicester Mercury.
During the trial's opening day on October 31, prosecutor Michael Brady KC emphasized that the influence of alcohol and drugs could not serve as an excuse for Morley's actions, asserting that he was indeed guilty of murdering Mr. Bettison. He contended that the defense of "loss of control," which could potentially lead to a manslaughter verdict, was not applicable in Morley's case.
Brady declared, "Kyle Morley, we say, did it in a fit of anger sparked by sexual jealousy. The only reasonable inference, given the brutality of the attack, is that the defendant intended to take Mr. Bettison's life. Katie Lamb was also a target of his aggression, rendering her incoherent when the authorities arrived. Her recollection of the events in the park remains limited."
The jury was informed that Morley and Mr. Bettison had been drinking together at Hugglescote pubs in the hours leading up to the alleged murder, with Miss Lamb arriving at the scene around midnight. At some point, the couple was spotted entering the playground while holding hands.
Approximately five minutes later, Morley appeared on the scene, though the assault itself was not captured on CCTV footage.
Brady continued, "The defendant swiftly approached them, delivering a blow to Miss Lamb that left her unconscious. She recalls being on the ground, witnessing Morley viciously attacking David Bettison, who was defenseless and drenched in his own blood. She heard distressing sounds from Mr. Bettison, akin to 'rattling noises,' which, given her background working in an elderly care facility, led her to believe that he was in a life-threatening condition."
Residents who were awakened by Miss Lamb's screams promptly summoned the police. Officers arrived at the scene around 2:15 a.m. on February 24. Initially, Morley informed the authorities that he had come to Miss Lamb's aid after discovering Mr. Bettison allegedly attempting to assault her.
The jury was informed that police officers were unable to administer first aid to Mr. Bettison due to the severity of the damage inflicted on his face. The post-mortem examination revealed that his head, body, and back had sustained numerous blows, with the official cause of death attributed to "blunt force trauma to the face."
Further details divulged that Morley and Miss Lamb had been involved in a tumultuous relationship for approximately two and a half years, which ultimately came to an end in December of the preceding year. In her statement to the detectives, Miss Lamb's mother described the relationship as "toxic" and "volatile," shedding light on the complexities of their history.
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