39-year-old Christopher Cooper, from the Maritime Quarter, punched Mr. Evans once to the head outside The Station Hotel, Gorseinon High Street on May 26, 2024.
The victim was immediately rendered unconscious and was taken to hospital, but his condition deteriorated, and he later passed away on June 26.
Judge Geraint Walters told Swansea Crown Court that Cooper appeared to have felt slighted after Mr Evans and his partner shared a look while his partner, Tracy Francis, was singing karaoke.
He said it was chilling that Cooper boasted about the attack, calling his fists these ‘bad boys’ and showed no remorse during the trial.
Cooper had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter but was later found guilty of murder. Today he was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years.
54-year-old Francis, from Llanelli, was also found guilty of assisting an offender to prevent his arrest or prosecution and was sentenced to two years in prison.
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.
Mr Evans’ 92-year-old mother Maureen Evans went into the witness box to personally address the court and the defendants.
She said no mother expects to go before her children, and said she had always thought that when her time came all her children would be around her.
She described her son as thoughtful and helpful and one of the best sons you could wish for.
“I look at his picture every morning and every night. I miss him so much”.
[Lead image: South Wales Police]
