Man high on laughing gas used car as ‘weapon’ to kill mum of three | UK | News
Kian Bateman was drunk on laughing gas and used his car as a weapon to kill Shelley Davies (Image: South Wales Police)
A man who got drunk on laughing gas and “used his car as a weapon” has been jailed after killing a mother-of-three. 19-year-old Kian Bateman was breathing nitrous oxide Before driving his mother’s Seat Ibiza to Shelley Davies, 38, and her partner David Bratcher, 40, outside Glamorgan Home Guard Club 4 in Caerau. CardiffLast year, on September 27, at 12.30.
Lady Justice Stacey sentenced Bateman to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years. Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, July 3. He was found guilty of murdering Ms Davies and causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Bratcher. Ms Davies was described in court by her family as a “force of nature” who worked as a Reiki healer for those struggling with addiction.
Mr Bratcher told the court: “She was the person I loved, my best friend and the mother of our three children. Losing her so suddenly and violently changed our lives forever.”
Cardiff Crown Court heard that on the night of the murder Bateman was at the social club with friends for a General Levy concert.
After the bar closed, Bateman left the place in the car to visit his girlfriend. He had not yet returned home from work and so he went back to the club, where a group of people had gathered outside and the atmosphere was starting to get “ugly”.
The court heard Bateman saw his brother fighting with a group of people, during which Miss Davies fell to the ground.
Bateman then deliberately drove his car into the group, running over Ms Davies, who was lying on the ground, and hitting Mr Bratcher, seriously injuring him. Ms Davies died in hospital from her injuries on October 18.
Shelley Davies was ‘much loved’ by family and friends, police say (Image: Family statement/South Wales Police)
Bateman, from Cardiff, admitted causing death and injury by dangerous driving. The court heard he ran over Ms Davies at around 10mph as he accelerated towards Mr Bratcher, hitting her before driving off. He surrendered to the police the next day.
Miss Justice Stacey said she was satisfied and satisfied that Bateman did not see Miss Davies lying in front of Mr Bratcher in the road and did not intend to cause her any harm.
The judge added: “But because he got in your way when you were trying to cause really serious harm to Mr Bratcher, that means you are guilty of the murder of Miss Davies.”
He said Bateman had been taking nitrous oxide balloons all evening, including while he was driving. Miss Judge Stacey said: “I accept you were frightened and panicked in the car… but you could have escaped the situation.
“Instead, you accelerated and drove into Mr. Bratcher with the intention of causing him serious harm.”
Caroline Rees KC, defending, said Bateman’s intention was only to cause serious harm to Mr Bratcher. He added: “There was a complete lack of premeditation here. This is a crime committed in mere seconds, albeit with extremely tragic consequences.”
“He was 18 years and seven months old at the time of the crime and had not been driving for a long time.”
The court heard Bateman had a learning disability, was remorseful for the murder and had no previous convictions.
In addition to his prison sentence, Bateman was disqualified from driving for 21 years and 109 days and ordered to undergo an extended retest. He was cleared of attempting to murder Mr Bratcher.
Anthony Clarke, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The defendant deliberately used his car as a weapon and this had devastating consequences. His actions led to the tragic death of a young woman and injuries to others.
“Although this case has been concluded, our thoughts are with Shelley Davies’ family and friends on their tragic loss.”
Det Supt Mark O’Shea, of South Wales Police, said Ms Davies was much loved and greatly missed by her family and friends. He added: “Our thoughts are with them today, as they have been throughout this terrible ordeal.”
