JAILED: Coalville man convicted of murder is sentenced to 18 years

An investigation which began with a call to police reporting shouting and screaming in a Hugglescote park has ended with a man being jailed for life – with a minimum term of 18 years and six months.

Kyle Morley was convicted today (Tuesday 14th November) of killing David Bettison following a trial at Leicester Crown Court.

At the start of the trial, he also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent – after he attacked and knocked unconscious his ex-partner when finding the two victims alone together.

The initial 999 call was made to police just after 2am on Friday 24 February after a resident close to the park in Ashburton Road was woken by the sound of a woman in distress.

Officers responded and discovered Morley standing over the 23-year-old woman and Mr Bettison unresponsive nearby – both had significant facial injuries.

They immediately began CPR while urgent calls to the ambulance service were made. Extra police resource was also sent to the scene to begin an investigation and preserve evidence.

Morley, 30, of Ashby Road, Coalville, was quickly arrested and taken for questioning.

Mr Bettison, 43, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. The woman suffered severe bruising and swelling to her face as a result of the attack but was discharged from hospital after treatment.

Led by Detective Inspector Mark Parish from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) murder investigation team, specially trained officers began piecing together the events of the night.

Across the next three days they worked tirelessly – interviewing Morley, taking statements from witnesses, reviewing hours of CCTV footage, analysing phone data and examining the scene.

A family liaison officer was also deployed to support Mr Bettison’s family and have remained as their dedicated contact throughout the whole process.

Through their efforts, the investigation team were able to establish Morley, Mr Bettison and others had been out drinking together in several pubs in Hugglescote and Coalville.

Shortly before 1am, Morley’s ex-partner arrived in Hugglescote and the pair had been arguing and fighting.

For nearly an hour, along with Mr Bettison, the three were in the area of Crescent Road and Fairfield Road before the two victims headed into the park at around 1.45am.

A few minutes later Morley walks in the same direction. He is known to be in the park for around 10 minutes briefly leaving the park and then returning minutes later.

Police arrived at the scene at 2.15am and found Morley and the two injured victims.

During the investigation officers also recovered a voicemail left accidentally by Morley at 1.52am while carrying out the attack.

DI Parish said: “When discovering the two victims together Morley punched his ex-partner in the face, knocking her to the floor, before carrying out a sustained attack on Mr Bettison. Unfortunately, his injuries were so severe he never regained conscious and died at the scene.

“In the initial few days officers worked around the clock to gather as much information and evidence as possible in order to be able to charge Morley with both offences.

“Since this time our work to build a strong a case as possible has continued and I am pleased that the strength of the investigation has helped to secure a conviction at court.

“At the heart of this investigation is a family who continue to grieve the loss of a loved one and a victim who is still dealing with the trauma of the events of that night.

“My thoughts remain with those affected by the actions of Morley and I hope they can now take steps to move forward knowing the man responsible faces many years in prison.”

Family of victim pay tribute

The family of David Bettison, known as Did, have released the following statements after the conviction of Kyle Morley for his murder.

Mr Bettison’s mother, Jackie Haines, said: “When Did died something inside me died with him. There is no pain like a mother losing a child. Only people who have gone through this devastation can really understand how it feels.

“None of us were able to say goodbye because of the brutal and tragic way Did was taken from us and that continues to haunt me.

“I have restless nights imagining his last moments and what he went through. I have nightmares and I wake and wish this whole thing was just one big nightmare, but it’s not, we are living the nightmare.

“As a family we have tried to pull together at the worst time of our lives but this past nine months have been very difficult.

“There have been a lot of tears and grief and we know there are so many more years of heartache and missed milestone to come. Every future family occasion will be tainted with sadness, and we will have to learn to live with that.

“Since Did’s death it has become clear that he had so many friends and was a popular person in our community. We have been overwhelmed with the love and support shown by so many and this has brought us some comfort during this horrendously difficult time.”

David Bettison, known as Did Mr Bettison’s 15-year-old daughter, Gracie Mae Brown, added: “These past few months since my dad’s death have been the worst time of my life. The pain, the horrible pain, has stuck with me since Friday 24 February and will forever be a part of me.

“I know my dad was not perfect, but he didn’t deserve what happened to him and neither do his family. He was taken from us so cruelly and way too soon and we now have a lifetime of living without him.”