DAVID GAUT, THE CHILD KILLER FROM NEW TREDEGAR, MEETS FATE IN HIS OWN NEIGHBOURHOOD

In August 2018, the quiet community of New Tredegar, a small town near Caerphilly in South Wales, was shaken to its core by a tragic and disturbing event. The body of David Gaut, a 54-year-old man with a dark and violent past, was found in his rented council flat, sparking a wave of shock and outrage among local residents.

Gaut’s history is marked by a heinous crime committed over three decades earlier. In July 1985, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder and torture of a 17-month-old boy in Caerphilly. The details of that crime are as horrifying as they are tragic. Gaut was babysitting his girlfriend’s young son, Chi Ming Shek, also known as Marky Pickthall, when he inflicted severe injuries upon the child. The toddler was battered, kicked, and burned on the sole of his foot, leading to a series of fatal injuries. The mother, Jane Pickthall, then only 23 years old, had left her children in Gaut’s care while she went out drinking. Upon returning home, she discovered her son’s lifeless body hidden under a chest of drawers in his bedroom.

During the trial at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that Gaut attempted to disguise the death as an accident. The child had suffered multiple injuries, including a broken arm, a damaged liver and spleen, and a fractured skull. The judge at the time described the murder as “the worst crime in the land,” emphasizing the brutality and the innocence of the victim. Mr. Justice Caldfield sentenced Gaut, stating, “The person murdered was a defenceless little baby, and on the fury’s finding, you not only murdered that child but also tortured him.”

Gaut’s release from prison in recent years reignited the community’s fears and suspicions. It was reported that he had been boasting about his time behind bars, claiming he had served 33 years. His claims, coupled with his recent release, prompted concern among neighbors, who began to scrutinize his background more closely. One neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted how they had gotten to know Gaut after he moved into the area. They described how he often talked about his prison time and even claimed to have shot a soldier, insisting he had been set up.

Curiosity and suspicion led one vigilant neighbor to take matters into their own hands. This individual secretly checked Gaut’s mail, discovering his middle name was Tracy, which prompted further investigation. The neighbor then turned to the internet, where they uncovered the horrifying details of Gaut’s past crimes. The information spread rapidly through the close-knit community, igniting outrage and fear. Many residents expressed their disgust and anger, feeling betrayed that such a dangerous individual had been living among them.

As the community’s concern grew, police took action. Three men, including two neighbors, were arrested on suspicion of Gaut’s murder. The authorities responded swiftly, sealing off the flat where Gaut was found and the three neighboring properties as part of their investigation. Gaut was rehoused in a small ground-floor flat provided by Caerphilly council, but the community’s sentiment was one of condemnation. Several residents voiced their belief that Gaut deserved the same treatment as his young victim, with some suggesting that he had been subjected to a severe beating after his death. One neighbor remarked, “Nobody wants paedophiles, nonces, or child abusers living near them — so it is no surprise that this caused trouble. I’ve heard that he was given a good beating, and some say he should have the same treatment he gave to that baby. An eye for an eye.”

The flat where the crime occurred, along with three neighboring properties, was cordoned off by police as part of their ongoing investigation. The circumstances surrounding Gaut’s death are still being determined, with authorities awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination. Gwent Police confirmed that the cause of death has yet to be established, and they are continuing their inquiries. The police also stated that Gaut’s next of kin have been informed of his death, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full details of this tragic event. The community remains in shock, grappling with the reality that a man with such a violent past met his end in the very neighborhood where he once lived, leaving behind questions and a sense of unease that will linger for some time.