Cardiff Council’s Deputy Leader Neil McEvoy is calling for a “severe” sentence to be handed out to the man that killed local swimming coach Lavern Ritch (pictured).
Lavern from Fairwater was stabbed to death in 2007 after he tried to break up a fight in Margate, New Jersey, while on holiday in the United States.
Robert Davies, 49, was convicted of reckless manslaughter and weapons offences but cleared of murder, a decision which left Lavern’s family devastated. Davies will be formally sentenced on April 7 and could face up to 10 years in jail.
To support the family, Councillor Neil McEvoy, leader of the city’s Plaid Cymru group and a Fairwater councillor, has sent a letter to the American judge who will hand out the sentence.
“I heard that the family were putting together victim impact statements. I wrote to show the support they have in Cardiff, especially in Fairwater and Pentrebane. It is important that Laverne gets justice and I was advised that such statements do carry weight. I hope that is correct.”
Councillor McEvoy, who knew Lavern well from a child, described him as a “first class human being, citizen and friend to many” who had touched the lives of many people.
He said: “Since the tragedy of Lavern’s death, many thousands of people in our city have expressed horror and revulsion at the crime committed.
“I am appalled at the length of time that it has taken for Lavern’s killer to be brought to justice. The pain that Lavern’s family has gone through is indescribable and I am not able to relay in words adequately as to how they feel.”
Councillor McEvoy urged the American judge to pass the “most severe sentence possible” on Robert Davies who “killed our friend”.
