Teen high on laughing gas jailed after using car as a weapon to kill mum-of-three

A teenage who used his car as a "weapon" to deliberately mow down and kill a mum-of-three has been sentenced to life in prison, and must serve a minimum of 17 years.

Kian Bateman, 19, was high on nitrous oxide - laughing gas - before hitting Shelley Davies, 38, outside the 4th Glamorgan Homeguard Club in Caerau, Cardiff, at 00:30 BST on 27 September last year.

She suffered complications and died in hospital three weeks later.

Her partner David Bratcher, 40, was also seriously hurt.

Bateman was cleared of the attempted murder of Bratcher, but found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and murdering Davies.

She was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, but died on 18 October.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the couple had been at a music event by reggae artist and DJ General Levy at the social club that night when there was "a disagreement" involving Bateman's brother and Bratcher.

During that confrontation, Davies ended up on the ground. It was then that Bateman "made a spur of the moment decision" to accelerate his car and drive towards Bratcher, not seeing her on the floor.

The defendant drove "straight over" Davies at about 10mph, the court heard.

Bateman, of Heol Muston in Ely, then went on to hit Bratcher, who was then thrown over the bonnet of the car.

Mrs Justice Stacey said Bateman did not stop or call for help and later abandoned the Seat Ibiza, which belonged to his mother.

Dean Pulling KC, prosecuting along with Michael Jones KC, read out victim impact statements in court including on behalf of David Bratcher.

He said his children almost lost both parents that evening.

Having to watch the CCTV of Bateman driving into him and running over his partner was "the most traumatic experience I've ever had", he said.

He continued: "[Shelley] was a huge part of our lives, she held our family together", explaining he now has to raise their children without her.

"Losing her in such a sudden and violent way has changed our lives forever," he said.

"I feel a constant sense of loss and sadness."

Davies' 17-year-old daughter Lilli May Davies said in a statement it had been a "very traumatising experience".

"She was my best friend.

"It's hard to comprehend how I am meant to manage the rest of my life without her.

"She was our rock, our glue, holding us together through everything."

She added that she now felt jealous when seeing others with their mothers explaining: "The closest thing to a hug is hugging a grave."

A statement on behalf Davies' mother, Sharon Hillard, was also read out.

"Shelley was a huge character in our lives.

"It is impossible to reconcile the way she was taken and there is no justification for the brutality that took her life.

"Our entire family has been left with a void that can never be filled."

Stacey said she wanted to take some time to reflect on Davies, and that those who knew the mother-of-three had been left "devastated at the loss of their kind and wonderful friend".

"No sentence that this court can impose can ever bring Ms Davies back," she added.

Addressing Bateman, she said: "You used your mother's car as a weapon to try and hurt Mr Bratcher."

She said she accepted that Bateman "did not want to hurt Ms Davies" but that she was "in the way" while he had been trying to cause "serious harm" to Bratcher.

Stacey also accepted that Bateman "handed himself in the next day" and had shown "very great and genuine remorse over her death", adding he had pleaded guilty to causing her death and had "never been in trouble with police before".

Bateman will serve 16 years and 109 days in custody for the murder of Davies, after which point he will be released on licence for the rest of his life.

He was sentenced to five years for the injuries caused to Bratcher, which will run concurrently.

Bateman will also not be able to drive again for 21 years and 109 days.

Anthony Clarke of the Crown Prosecution Service said Bateman had "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," he added.