Kian Bateman, 19, has been jailed for a minimum of 17 years for murdering mother-of-three Shelley Davies, 38, by running her over with a car outside a social club in Cardiff. He was also found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to her partner, David Bratcher.
Details of the Crime
Cardiff Crown Court heard that on the night of the murder in September last year, Bateman had been taking nitrous oxide before driving his mother’s Seat Ibiza at the couple outside the 4th Glamorgan Home Guard Club. He had been visiting the club to attend a General Levy gig with friends. After the bar closed, Bateman left to visit his girlfriend but, finding she was not home, returned to the venue where a group had gathered and the atmosphere was growing “ugly”.
The court heard Bateman saw his brother in a dispute with a group, during which Ms Davies ended up on the ground. Bateman then deliberately drove at the group, running over Ms Davies and hitting Mr Bratcher, then aged 40, seriously injuring him.
Sentencing and Judge’s Remarks
On Friday, Mrs Justice Stacey sentenced Bateman to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years. She 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.” Ms Davies later died in hospital on October 18 from her injuries.
The judge added: “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.” She noted Bateman was taking nitrous oxide balloons all evening, including while driving, and said: “I accept that you became scared and panicky… but you could have reversed out of the situation. Instead, you accelerated and drove at Mr Bratcher intending to cause him serious harm.”
Impact on Family
Ms Davies was described in court by family as a “force of nature” who worked as a Reiki healer for those struggling with addiction. In a statement, 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.”
Defence and Background
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, and has no previous convictions.
Bateman, of Cardiff, admitted causing death and injury by dangerous driving, and was convicted by a jury of murder and causing GBH with intent. As well as his prison sentence, he was disqualified from driving for 21 years and 109 days and ordered to take an extended re-test.
Prosecution and Police Statements
Anthony Clarke of the CPS 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 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.”
Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea of South Wales Police said: “Shelley Davies, a mum of three, went on a night out to watch live music at a local social club with her partner David Bratcher, but tragically never went home after suffering fatal injuries. The court found that Kian Bateman deliberately drove at Shelley and seriously injured David. Shelley was loved dearly, and is greatly missed, by her family and friends. Our thoughts remain with them today as they have been throughout this horrendous ordeal. We would like to thank all the witnesses who assisted the investigation, the Caerau community, as well as the prosecution team.”
