World champion kickboxer, 18, to face murder trial next year

A trial date has been set for a world champion kickboxer accused of murdering a teenager who died in a road crash.

Tyler Ford appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday accused of killing Ceiran Evans, 18, from Gorseinon.

Ford, 18, who has been a world kickboxing champion nine times, has also been charged with the attempted murder of a second person.

The teenager from Morriston, Swansea, spoke only to confirm his name during the brief administrative hearing and was not asked to enter any pleas.

Judge Paul Thomas KC fixed a plea and case management hearing for 29 September and said a two-week trial would begin on 11 January 2027.

Remanding Ford into custody, the judge said: "The next hearing will be September 29 and the defendant will of course remain in custody."

Ceiran Evans died following a fatal crash between a car and an off-road bike on Pen Cae Crwn Road in Gorseinon, Swansea, at about 13:00 BST on 9 July.

Paying tribute to him, Evans' family said he had a "kind heart, wicked sense of humour" and a "loving nature".

South Wales Police has asked witnesses, or anyone with video footage of the incident, to contact the force.

Ford was inducted into the Kickboxing Hall of Fame at the age of eight, and has also previously acted in various films and TV dramas as a stunt performer, including the BBC drama Keeping Faith.