A CAERPHILLY man who murdered a teenager in an horrific case of mistaken identity was jailed for at least 20 years today.

Cardiff Crown Court heard today how 18-year-old Conner Marshall was subjected to a "merciless" and "relentless" attack at the hands of David Braddon, in a case of mistaken identity at Trecco Bay, Porthcawl in March.

A packed public gallery burst into cheers and applause as 26-year-old David Braddon was told he would serve a minimum of 20 years in prison for the brutal murder of the Barry teenager.

Father of three Braddon, was staying at Trecco Bay with his girlfriend Victoria Davies when he discovered that - coincidentally - his girlfriend's ex-partner was also staying at the caravan park, the same weekend as Conner was visiting with friends.

Braddon had attempted to lure him into a confrontation - sending him text messages pretending to be Victoria - before going out looking for him.

He had become aware of Braddon's presence earlier in the day and sought to avoid him, a move the court heard "probably saved his life".

Conner was, in the words of Prosecutor Michael Jones, "in the wrong place at the wrong time", when he encountered a "drink and drug fuelled" Braddon while walking back alone from the beach in the early hours of the morning. He had earlier left his two friends telling them he wanted to see the beach before he would meet them back at their caravan.

Launching a brutal attack on the Barry teen, Braddon punched, kicked and stamped on Conner, also hitting him with a stone and metal pole leaving the former Ysgol Bro Morgannwg pupil with torso and facial injuries a paramedic later described as some of the worst they'd ever seen.

To "humiliate" his victim - who Braddon still believed to be the ex-partner - he stripped him naked and threw his clothes on top of a caravan.

Braddon, who was arrested for murder after fleeing first to Caerphilly and then to Scotland, said that it was only after the attack when he used the light of his phone to look at his victim that he realised he had attacked "a young boy".

In a police interview Braddon said he had no explanation for what he had done, other than going "berserk" due to the cocktail of Valium, cocaine and alcohol in his system.

He told police that he was "deeply remorseful" for what he had done and hoped to be "badly punished".

Sentencing Braddon to minimum of 20 years in prison Judge Wyn Williams said: "You have deprived Mr Marshall of his life, you have brought untold misery and despair to his family and great shame on your own family."

Detective Chief Inspector Kath Pritchard said: “Today David Braddon has been convicted of a brutal and senseless crime. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Conner. We hope that today’s verdict can bring some solace to his family and friends and allow them to at least begin the process of rebuilding their lives following the loss of Conner.”

“We would like to thank the local community for their support and patience while we investigated Conner’s murder. We know incidents like this can cause a great deal of concern and anxiety. The community support has undoubtedly helped us to bring the person responsible for Conner’s murder to justice.”