Teen ‘excessive on nitrous oxide’ jailed for all times as mum-of-three mowed down by automobile

Kian Bateman, 19, was found guilty of murdering Shelley Davies, 38, following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court after he ran her over with a car, also causing her partner David Bratcher grievous bodily harm

A teenager has been imprisoned for 17 years for the murder of a mother-of-three after mowing her down with a vehicle.

Kian Bateman, 19, was convicted of killing Shelley Davies, 38, following proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court, alongside causing her partner, David Bratcher, grievous bodily harm. Cardiff Crown Court was told Bateman had been inhaling nitrous oxide prior to driving his mother’s Seat Ibiza towards the pair outside the 4th Glamorgan Home Guard Club in the city.

On Friday, Mrs Justice Stacey handed Bateman a life sentence with a minimum term of 17 years. Cardiff Crown Court was told that, on the evening of the killing in September last year, Bateman had been at the social club attending a General Levy performance with mates.

Following the bar’s closure, Bateman departed the premises in the vehicle to see his girlfriend.

Yet she had not returned from work and so he travelled back to the venue, where a crowd had assembled outside and the mood was becoming “ugly”.

The court was told Bateman spotted his brother in an altercation with a group of individuals, during which Shelley Davies ended up on the ground.

Bateman then purposefully steered his vehicle towards the group, driving over Ms Davies, who was lying on the ground, and striking her partner, David Bratcher, then aged 40, causing him serious harm.

Mrs Justice Stacey said: “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.”

Tragically, 38 year old Ms Davies succumbed to her injuries in hospital on October 18.

Bateman, a Cardiff resident, confessed to causing death and injury by dangerous driving, and was found guilty of murder and causing GBH with intent by a jury.

Mrs Justice Stacey stated: “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.

“You were taking nitrous oxide balloons all evening, including when you were driving,” she added.

“I accept that you became scared and panicky there in the car… but you could have reversed out of the situation. Instead, you accelerated and drove at Mr Bratcher intending to cause him serious harm.”

Ms Davies was remembered in court 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, said: “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.

“He was 18 years and seven months old at the time of the offence and he hadn’t been driving for long.”

The court heard Bateman has a learning disability, had shown remorse for the murder and has no previous convictions. In addition to his prison sentence, Bateman was also banned from driving for 21 years and ordered to take an extended re-test.

Anthony Clarke, of the CPS, stated: “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 devasting 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.”

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