Baby killer may be victim of vigilantes

A CONVICTED baby killer may have been the victim of vigilantes after he was found murdered in a village where residents claimed to have worked out his past.

David Gaut, 54, was discovered dead by police in his rented flat where he moved in alone six weeks ago.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of his murder – but police last night refused to say whether he was the same man as the convicted killer freed from jail.

A man named David Gaut was jailed for life aged 21 in July 1985 for the murder and torture of a 17-month old boy, 11 miles from the village of New Tredegar, near Caerphilly, South Wales, to where he had recently moved.

Villagers said feelings were running “very high” as people were convinced it was the same person as the child killer. Over 30 years ago, the killer Gaut was babysitting Chi Ming Shek, known as Marky, his girlfriend’s son.

Jane Pickthall, the baby’s mother, had been out drinking and left Gaut to look after her two young children. She arrived home in Caerphilly, and had sexual intercourse with Gaut, but the next day she found her son’s body under a chest of drawers.

The baby died of multiple injuries including a broken arm, injured liver and spleen and a fractured skull.

Gaut was convicted of murder and jailed for life in July 1985 but would have been due to apply for parole.

Police confirmed the name of the man found dead as David Gaut. His next of kin has been informed and inquiries are continuing. A source said: “This is an active murder investigation and we would never comment on claims about a victim’s past.”

Neighbours at Long Row, New Tredegar, said that Mr Gaut told them that he had spent time in prison “for a crime he didn’t do”.

One woman said: “He has been living here for about six weeks but he’s not from here. He’s not local. He told us he’d been to prison for 33 years.”

Mr Gaut’s body was discovered around 3pm on Saturday. Two men, aged 23 and 51, of New Tredegar and a man, 47, of Aberbargoed, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They are currently in police custody for questioning.