A “barbaric” killer has been jailed for the knife murder of a 30-year-old on New Year’s Day.
Ashley Davies, 30, of Pentre, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was jailed for life on Friday and will serve a minimum of 26 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole.
Conall Evans was seriously wounded near the Pen Dinas flats in Dinas Road, Tonypandy, in the early hours of 1 January.
His body was found close to the Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Mr Evans died from a single knife wound to his chest.
Davies was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, having been found guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article after a 10-day trial.
Mr Evans’s family said his death had “torn [their] world apart and left an unfillable hole in [their] hearts”.
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He was described as a “happy, outgoing person who lived life to the full”.
“We have been robbed of a brother, a son, an uncle, and a friend,” they added.
“Conall’s beautiful smile, his infectious laugh, and his boundless spirit are things we will never experience again.
“The reality that he is gone forever is something we can’t come to terms with.
“His memory lives on in our hearts and in the hearts of everyone who loved him, but it will never replace the pain of his absence.”
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Detective Inspector Dai Butt, from South Wales Police, said the case “lays bare the devastating consequences of knife crime”.
“Conall’s life was cut tragically short by the barbaric actions of Ashley Davies, who now faces the prospect of spending a considerable time behind bars. I do hope this gives Conall’s family some closure – we continue to support them,” he added.
“Once again I would like to thank the local community for their support throughout the investigation.”
