Newtown man Luke Bellis jailed for Kington murder

Luke Bellis, a man from near Newtown, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 17 and a half years for his role in the murder of Carl Dyche in front of his wife and child in Kington in December 2021.

Bellis was one of three men involved in the unprovoked killing. The trio had been watching the town's Christmas lights being switched on, but after Bellis and co-defendant Ajay Price became heavily intoxicated, the mood changed.

In February, Bellis, Price and John Lock were found guilty of murder by a jury at Worcester Crown Court. On March 24, the three were sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge Burbidge.

Bellis must serve 17 and a half years before he can be considered for parole. His behaviour was described as the catalyst for the two and a half minutes of violence that ended Mr Dyche's life.

Price, who confessed to a girlfriend that he "switched" and couldn't be stopped, was jailed for at least 15 years. Lock, who delivered the least violence but did not intervene, must serve at least 17 years of his sentence.

All three will have the time they have served on remand deducted from their overall terms.

During the attack, Price was heard shouting, "get a gun or a sledgehammer," while Bellis shouted, "he got what he deserved."