Brecon soldier death: Man in court on murder charge
A man charged with the murder of a soldier in Powys has appeared in court.
Pte Matthew Boyd, from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, was found injured in Lion Street, Brecon, at about 01:00 BST on Sunday. He later died at hospital.
Jake Vallely, 23, appeared at Brecon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, charged with his murder.
He was remanded in custody and will appear at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday.
Mr Vallely spoke only to confirm his name and age.
A second man, Aaeron Evans, 22, is accused of causing actual bodily harm. He was also remanded in custody until Friday.
Pte Boyd and his family lived in Gibraltar, but he was originally from Northern Ireland, where some of his relatives still live in Carrickfergus, County Antrim.
In a statement, his family paid tribute to the soldier, saying news of his death was "devastating", and thanking the Brecon community for its thoughts and condolences.
"It has given us such strength as a family at this horrendous time.
"Matthew was a kind and popular young man, and it has been wonderful to see his warm and kind personality being replicated through the kindness of complete strangers," they said.
Mr Boyd's family also thanked the police, the people of Gibraltar and his regiment.
On Monday, his commanding officer, Lt Col Ivor Lopez, said Mr Boyd was a "great soldier and a close friend".