A man from Liverpool is facing a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering a Birmingham man he had bonded with at a family birthday party, only hours before mowing him down with his car.
A Party That Ended in Tragedy
The incident unfolded on April 18 at a 70th birthday celebration for the victim's mother in Liverpool. Stephen Bates, 42, had met Martin O'Donovan, 47, for the first time at the party. The court heard that the two men had got on so well, sharing Jagerbombs, that other guests had jokingly referred to their instant connection as a 'bromance'.
However, the atmosphere turned sour later in the evening. Bates, who had become heavily intoxicated, argued with his partner, Suzanne Lewzey, who is also Mr O'Donovan's sister. When Mr O'Donovan intervened in the dispute, a physical fight broke out between the two men outside the venue.
The Fatal Attack
After the altercation, Bates initially agreed to be driven home by another of Mr O'Donovan's sisters, Natalie, in his own car. However, in a deceitful move, he grabbed the keys and drove off without her. Shockingly, he returned to the scene on Herondale Road in Mossley Hill within just five minutes.
It was then that Bates, behind the wheel of his Ford Fiesta, "suddenly turned and drove straight at Martin O'Donovan", who was innocently sitting on a wall outside. The vehicle struck Mr O'Donovan and trapped him underneath, causing catastrophic injuries.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, Martin O'Donovan was pronounced dead at 4:32 am on April 19 at the age of 47. A post-mortem examination revealed the extent of the horror, showing he had been run over at least once, suffering extensive skull, chest, and abdominal injuries.
Justice Served at Liverpool Crown Court
Following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, the jury deliberated for over 13 hours before reaching a majority verdict of 10 to 2, finding Stephen Bates guilty of murder. The verdict was met with emotional cries from the public gallery.
Bates, who appeared in the dock wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and navy blue tie, stood with his head bowed as the verdict was delivered. Judge Neil Flewitt KC remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing scheduled for November 28.
The judge confirmed to Bates, "the only sentence I can, by law, pass upon you is a sentence of imprisonment for life." He praised the families involved for their dignity during the proceedings. The case marks a tragic end to a night that began with celebration, leaving a family devastated by a brutal and senseless act of violence.
