Teenager sentenced to life in prison after fatally running over mother-of-three with his car
A young man who killed a mother of three by using his car was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Kian Bateman, 19, was high in nitrous oxide when he crashed into Shelley Davis, 38, outside the 4th Glamorgan Conservation Club in Caerau, Cardiff, at around 12.30pm on September 27 last year.
He suffered serious injuries from the incident and died two weeks later on October 18 due to multiple organ failure and complications caused by the accident.
Bateman was sentenced to life imprisonment on Friday and a minimum of 17 years for murdering Davies and causing grievous bodily harm to his partner David Bratcher, 40, who was seriously injured in the incident.
Bateman, who was 18 at the time, was at a music event organized by reggae artist and DJ General Levy on the night of the incident. He left the venue to visit his girlfriend, but returned to the club when he found out he hadn’t returned from work.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how a “dispute” took place between Bateman’s brother and Bratcher outside the social club, where a group of people had gathered and the atmosphere became “ugly”.
Davies reportedly went to the ground during the ensuing confrontation, at which point Bateman was said to have “made a split-second decision” to speed up and drive towards Bratcher without seeing him on the ground.
The vehicle, a Seat Ibiza, reached speeds of 10 miles per hour and Davies was thrown onto the bonnet of the vehicle, causing the couple to suffer several serious injuries.
While handing down the sentence, Judge Stacey said: “You didn’t stop but walked away… You turned yourself in the next day.”
“I am satisfied and I am satisfied that you did not see Miss Davies lying in front of Mr Bratcher in the road and I accept that you did not intend to cause her any harm.
“But since he got in your way when you were actually trying to cause serious harm to Mr. Bratcher, that means you are guilty of Ms. Davies’ murder.”
He continued: “You were taking nitrous oxide balloons all evening, including while driving.
“I accept that you were scared and panicked in the car… but you could have gotten out of that situation.
“Instead, you accelerated and drove into Mr. Bratcher with the intention of causing him serious harm.”
Bateman admitted causing death and bodily harm by dangerous driving and was found guilty by a jury of culpable homicide and causing grievous bodily harm.
Davies has been described as a “force of nature” who works as a Reiki healer supporting individuals struggling with addiction.
“She was my loved one, my best friend, and the mother of our three children,” Mr. Bratcher said.
“Losing him so suddenly and violently changed our lives forever.”
The court also heard Bateman had learning disabilities. He was banned from driving for 21 years and 109 days and ordered to take an extended retest.
