Kai Pennell pleaded guilty to murdering Duane Keen at a previous hearing at Cardiff Crown Court
A man who murdered a gifted boxer and mixed martial arts fighter has been handed a life sentence, with a minimum of 23 years behind bars.
Duane Keen, 47, was found with severe injuries and declared dead at a property on Riverside Drive, Blaenavon, during the early hours of October 17 last year. Kai Pennell, 35, admitted to murdering Mr Keen at an earlier hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, WalesOnline reports.
He also admitted destroying property, specifically a white Suzuki Swift belonging to Rebecca Phillips. The defendant denied making a threat to kill, though prosecutors will not pursue a trial on that charge.
Pennell, of Riverside Drive, Blaenavon, received his sentence at Cardiff Crown Court today (Tuesday, February 24).
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Following Mr Keen’s death, witnesses described armed officers and other police arriving at Riverside Drive just after 2am, with a police helicopter hovering above. Paramedics, armed response units and the Wales Air Ambulance attended the scene, which was sealed off,.
In tribute, Mr Keen’s family described him as an exceptional boxer and all-round MMA competitor “with lots of belts to his name”.
“He would help anyone who needed it and was always at the end of a phone,” they said.
“He loved being with his dogs and out walking with them. He would help anyone who needed it and was always at the end of a phone.
“Duane will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. There are no words to express what we as a family are going through. Duane, you were a champ in the ring, but you were the biggest champ to us.”
In her sentencing remarks, Mrs Justice Stacey paid tribute to Mr Keen and spoke about his impact in the community of Blaenavon as a mixed martial arts competitor and coach.
She also referred to the thousands of people who attended Mr Keen’s funeral.
The judge said: “He has indeed become legendary. His friends and family can rightly feel proud of him.”
Addressing Pennell, the judge said: “Duane lost his life when he tried to protect the life of your ex partner…
“No sentence this court can give can compensate Mr Keen’s family and friends for his loss.”
Mrs Justice Stacey said only a sentence of life imprisonment could be passed for an offence of murder.
The judge said: “In your twisted and self pitying logic, you told (Ms Phillips) Duane’s murder was her fault.
“You are wrong to say that, the only person who is to blame for Duane’s murder is you.
“Rebecca was in no way responsible for your actions. She should not feel any sense of guilt. What happened to Duane was your fault, not hers.”
Mrs Justice Stacey added: “You were motivated by sexual jealousy and anger when you killed Duane and as a way of punishing Rebecca for breaking up with you and remaining friends with Duane.”
Pennell, of Riverside Drive, Blaenavon, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years. This term has been reduced to 22 years and 138 days, minus what the defendant has spent on remand in custody. He was also made subject to a restraining order in respect of Ms Phillips. There were shouts from the public gallery as Pennell was sent down to the cells