Christopher Cooper jailed for life for ‘coward punch’ killing of Kelvin Evans following ‘off key’ Pink karaoke

A man was jailed for life on Friday for killing a pub-goer who objected to his partner’s rendition of a Pink song at karaoke.

Kelvin Evans, 64, died in hospital four weeks after the single-punch attack outside his local pub.

Mr Evans was punched by Christopher Cooper, 39, as he left the Station Hotel’s regular karaoke night at 9.45pm.

Earlier, Cooper’s girlfriend Tracy Francis performed a three-minute song in front of drinkers. But the couple were upset by perceived comments by Mr Evans about her “off-key” performance of American singer Pink’s hit single Who Knew.

Cooper told another drinker: “That bloke has just said something about Tracy on the karaoke.”

Ms Francis also claimed Mr Evans had made a comment about her.

Andrew Jones KC, prosecuting, said Mr Evans left the pub in Gorseinon, near Swansea, to meet his partner, but “never made it”.

He added: “He was punched, cowardly, from behind with such strength that he remained for almost a month in hospital before he succumbed to his injuries,” Swansea Crown Court was told

Mr Evans “stood no chance” when he was floored by the punch.

When questioned by police, Cooper said: “I used these bad boys”, and raised his fists.

The prosecutor said: “He was punched so hard that he hit his head on a nearby wall before he fell unconscious to the pavement. He never recovered from the ferocity of that punch.”

“His death was the direct result of the actions of Cooper. He murdered the defenceless Kelvin Evans.

“He was doing nothing more than setting off to meet his partner.

“The punch, delivered from behind, left the 64-year-old floored.”

Mr Jones said Cooper and Francis were seen on CCTV quickly trying to leave the area in May last year.

Mr Jones said Francis was “fully aware of the seriousness of what Cooper had done and was actively assisting him”.

Cooper, of Swansea, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years.

As he was sentenced, he turned to the public gallery and shouted: “You can all f*** yourselves. You’re d***heads.:

Francis, 54, of Llanelli, was found guilty of assisting an offender and sentenced to two years.

Judge Geraint Walters KC said Cooper had dealt a “cowardly punch delivered from behind” and shown no remorse.

Mr Evans’s family said: “We are devastated at the tragic and senseless loss.”