Man murdered in Elliots Town was suspected by neighbours of being a convicted child killer

A man found murdered in Elliots Town, New Tredegar, was suspected of being a convicted child killer by angry neighbours.

David Gaut, 54, was discovered dead by police in his rented flat where he moved in alone just six weeks ago.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Mr Gaut – but police are refusing to confirm he is the same man as a convicted killer freed from jail

David Gaut, then 21, was jailed for life in July 1985 for the murder and torture of a 17-month-old boy just 11 miles from New Tredegar, near Caerphilly, South Wales.

But villagers told how feelings were running “very high” as people were convinced it was the same person as the child killer.

Gaut was babysitting his girlfriend’s son Chi Ming Shek – known as Marky – when he battered, kicked, and burned the sole of the child’s foot.

The baby’s mum Jane Pickthall, then 23, had been out drinking and left Gaut to look after her two young children.

She arrived home in Caerphilly and made love to Gaut – but the next day she found her son’s dead body under a chest of drawers.

A murder trial at Cardiff Crown Court heard Gaut tried to make the death look accidental.

But pathologist Dr Owen Williams said the baby’s injuries could have been caused by punching, kicking, falling, being thrown or a combination of these.

Prosecutor Aubrey Myerson QC said while the mum was out neighbours heard loud noises – including banging and crashes.

Miss Pickthall told a jury how she found Marky dead underneath a chest of drawers in his bedroom.

She could see he was badly bruised in the groin area, chest and forehead.

Mr Myerson said: “The killing did not arise from just one attack but from a series of assaults.”

Unemployed Gaut told police Marky had got out of the cot and claimed he smacked the tot’s bottom but he fell down the stairs.

He said he gave Marky mouth to mouth and put him back in the cot – because he “looked all right.”

The baby died of multiple injuries including a broken arm, injured liver and spleen and a fractured skull.

Gaut was convicted of murder and jailed for life in July 1985 – but would have been due to apply for parole since then.

Police confirmed the name of the man found dead as David Gaut.

But officers have declined to comment on whether it is the same David Gaut jailed for life. They say his next of kin has been informed and enquiries are continuing.

A source said: “This is an active murder investigation and we would never comment on claims about a victim’s past.”

Neighbours at Long Row said Gaut told them that he had spent time in prison “for a crime he didn’t do”.

One woman said: “He has been living here for about six weeks but he’s not from here. He’s not local.

“He told us he’d been to prison for 33 years.”

A man at the same house said: “He first of all told us he was inside for a crime but he didn’t do it.

“He then said he had shot someone a long time ago but we knew that wasn’t true.

“Everyone knew he killed a baby and everyone was talking about it.”

Other neighbours spoke of their shock and say they do not feel safe after a series of people were moved into social housing.

Mr Gaut’s body was discovered around 3pm on Saturday.

Two men, aged 23 and 51, of New Tredegar and a man, 47, of Aberbargoed, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They are currently in police custody for questioning.

A spokesman said: “The cause of death has yet to be established and will be determined following a post mortem examination.

“Anyone with information should call Gwent Police.”