A Caerphilly man who beat a teenage holiday maker to death because he mistook him for an ex-girlfriend’s new lover, has been jailed for life.
Conner Marshall, 18, was hit with a pole and stripped naked by David Braddon who mistook him for the love rival.
Braddon, 26, of Attlee Court in Lansbury Park, was jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years for the murder of the innocent teenager at Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl.
Cardiff Crown Court heard today, June 3, that Braddon had shouted abuse at A-level student after spotting him walking around the holiday park.
Prosecutor Michael Jones said: “He believed he was confronting his ex-girlfriend’s former partner, a man called Adam Malyn.
“The pair wrestled until Mr Marshall passed out, Braddon “stomped” on his face, kicked his ribs and hit him repeatedly with a pole.
“Braddon then stripped Mr Marshall naked because he wanted to humiliate him.
“He punched him again but after checking his face, realised it was the wrong person.”
The court heard Braddon asked Mr Marshall if he was all right before going back to his own caravan with “blood all over his face”.
Mr Marshall and two friends had gone to spend the weekend at the caravan park in March this year.
The three went to a number of pubs in the seaside town before they returned to the park at 1am.
But the victim was alone when he was confronted by Braddon and went through the severe beating.
Mr Marshall, of Barry, was found seven hours later by early morning campers. He died four days later in hospital.
The court heard Braddon had taken 50 Valium tablets, as well as cocaine, and had been drinking alcohol.
During a police interview he said he went out that night intending to have a fight but his “mind wasn’t to kill someone”.
He later admitted “he went over the top” in the attack.
Heath Edwards, defending, said: “He makes no excuses for his actions and deeply regrets the heartache he had caused Mr Marshall’s family.
“The family of Conner Marshall will suffer from this point on but it’s also the case the family of David Braddon will suffer for what he did.
“The defendant did not set out to kill that night he set out to cause actual bodily harm.”
Braddon fled to Scotland to escape justice but was later arrested in Glasgow.
In a statement, Mr Marshall’s mother Nadine Marshall said: “Words alone cannot describe the impact that this has had on all our lives.
“I constantly feel emotions of fear, guilt and sadness. I have become overprotective of my children and I am afraid to leave them out of my sight. I am constantly texting them to make sure they are safe and well.”
A family tribute described the teenager as “a unique, caring and compassionate young man with a warm, infectious smile complete with a cheeky wink”.
The family released graphic pictures of Mr Marshall’s badly beaten face as he lay on a life support machine.
They made the agonising decision to turn off the life support machine after four days on medical advice.
After the sentencing Mrs Marshall added: “Today marks the beginning of David Braddon spending a considerable amount of time behind bars.
“He sustained a horrific attack on our son Conner.
“Conner was only 18 with a future full of hopes and dreams. He was handsome, kind and caring, and very much loved by us, his family and his many friends.
“This callous, senseless and unprovoked attack has traumatised our entire family and many friends.
“No family should ever have to endure the sickening ordeal that we now find ourselves in. Sadly our lives will never be the same.
“It is impossible to express the hurt, anger and sadness that we each feel continuously. Conner is deeply missed and will always be in our thoughts.
“We would like to thank South Wales Police and the CPS for their unfaltering dedication, professionalism and support in ensuring justice for Conner.”
Braddon admitted murder and was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years.
Mr Justice Wyn Willimas said Braddon subjected his victim to a “sustained and brutal” assault and that the aggravating features were the significant degree of planning and the horrific physical suffering.