The defendant also faces an allegation of criminal damage and making threats to kill and appeared at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday morning for a brief hearing
Duane Keen was found dead in Blaenavon on October 17. A man has been charged with his murder(Image: Gwent Police)
A man has appeared in court accused of the murder of a talented boxer and MMA fighter. Kai Pennell, 34, of Blaenavon, has been charged with murdering Duane Keen, 47, also from Blaenavon, last week.
The defendant also faces an allegation of criminal damage and making threats to kill and appeared at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday morning, October 21, for a brief hearing, during which he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address.
A provisional trial date was scheduled for April 13 and Pennell will reappear in court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on November 21, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here
She told the defendant, of Riverside Drive, that he would be remanded in custody while he awaited those dates.
There was some disorder in the court during the brief hearing on Tuesday morning during which the judge had to remind members of the public gallery that they should leave the court if they couldn’t behave.
She said: “Understandably, feelings are running very high but I also have no doubt (…) people will be able to control themselves. If people find they can’t control themselves then the best thing to do is to step outside.”
Mr Keen was discovered with serious injuries and pronounced dead at an address in Riverside Drive, Blaenavon, in the early hours of Friday, October 17.
Witnesses reported seeing armed police and other officers arrive at Riverside Drive shortly after 2am, along with a police helicopter circling overhead. Paramedics, armed police and the Wales Air Ambulance were in attendance and the street was cordoned off.
Paying tribute, Mr Keen’s family said he was a great boxer and MMA all rounder “with lots of belts to his name”. “He would help anyone who needed it and was always at the end of a phone. He loved being with his dogs and out walking with them,” their statement reads.
“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.”
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