Kian Bateman, 19, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years for the murder of 38-year-old mother-of-three Shelley Davies. The sentencing took place at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, where Mrs Justice Stacey also handed Bateman a 21-year driving ban and ordered an extended re-test. Bateman was found guilty of murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to David Bratcher, Ms Davies' partner.
Details of the Incident
The court heard that on the evening of the killing in September last year, Bateman attended a General Levy performance at the 4th Glamorgan Home Guard Club in Cardiff with friends. After the bar closed, he left in his mother's Seat Ibiza to visit his girlfriend, but she had not returned from work, so he drove back to the venue. Outside, a crowd had gathered and the atmosphere had turned hostile. Bateman saw his brother, Kai, involved in an altercation with a group, during which Ms Davies ended up on the ground.
Bateman then deliberately steered his car toward the group, driving over Ms Davies as she lay on the ground and striking Mr Bratcher, then aged 40, causing him serious harm. Mrs Justice Stacey stated: "You drove straight over (Ms Davies) at about 10mph as you accelerated towards Mr Bratcher, who you then hit with the car. You did not stop, but drove off... you handed yourself in the next day." Ms Davies succumbed to her injuries in hospital on October 18.
Role of Nitrous Oxide
The court was told Bateman had been inhaling nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, prior to the incident. Mrs Justice Stacey noted: "You were taking nitrous oxide balloons all evening, including when you were driving." Bateman admitted to causing death and injury by dangerous driving but was convicted of murder and causing GBH with intent by a jury. The judge said: "I am satisfied and I am sure that you did not see Ms Davies lying in the road in front of Mr Bratcher and I accept that you did not intend to cause her any harm. But because she was in the way when you were trying to cause really serious harm to Mr Bratcher, it means that you are guilty of Ms Davies' murder."
Victim Impact and Defense
Ms Davies was remembered by her family as a "force of nature" and the "most unselfish person." In a statement read to the court, Mr Bratcher said: "She was the person I loved, my best friend, and the mother of our three children. Losing her in such a sudden and violent way has changed our lives forever." Caroline Rees KC, defending, argued: "The intention was only to seriously harm David Bratcher. There was a total lack of premeditation here, this is an offence committed in seconds only, albeit with the most tragic of outcomes." The court heard Bateman has a learning disability, had shown remorse, and had no previous convictions. He was 18 years and seven months old at the time of the offence.
Prosecution Statement
Anthony Clarke of the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The strong evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service at trial satisfied the jury that this was no accident. The defendant deliberately used his car as a weapon, with devastating consequence. His actions resulted in the tragic loss of a young woman's life and injured others. Although this case has concluded, our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Shelley Davies over their tragic loss."
