Jonny HumphriesAt Liverpool Crown Court
Police released footage of Bates’ arrest and the 999 call where he admitted ‘I done the crime’
The family of a man who was killed by his sister’s boyfriend at their mother’s 70th birthday party has described how a night of joy turned to “unimaginable horror”.
Stephen Bates drove his Ford Fiesta directly into 47-year-old Martin O’Donovan on Stonyhurst Road in Woolton, Liverpool, in front of his family on 18 April this year.
Bates, a project manager at a homelessness charity, had admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this month.
The 42-year-old was jailed for life with a minimum term of 18 years in prison earlier.
Merseyside Police
Stephen Bates killed his girlfriend’s brother after he was introduced to her wider family
Passing sentence, Judge Neil Flewitt KC told Bates: “The day ended in tragedy for the guests at the party, all of whom were members of his family, who were devastated by the violent death of a man they loved dearly.”
A jury had heard how the party for the victim’s mother Susan O’Donovan was being hosted at the home of Bates’ girlfriend Suzanne Lewzey – and was the first time he had been introduced to her wider family.
‘My beautiful boy’
In a statement read to the court on her behalf, Miss Lewzey said the sight of her brother dying on the road would haunt her forever.
“I have lived and breathed these horrific images every day for the last six months and I still don’t believe it,” she wrote.
Referring to Bates, she said: “I don’t recognise the person I knew and loved and I will forever regret the day I allowed him into my life.”
Describing her brother as a “loving, strong and fiercely loyal person”, she said his last words to her had been: “It’s my job to protect you, I love you sis.”
A statement from their mother, Susan, described her son as a “beautiful soul”.
“One minute I was dancing with my son on my birthday,” she said.
“Little did I know it was to be my last dance, my last kiss.”
She added: “Keep smiling my beautiful boy, I will never get over you.”
Merseyside police
Martin O’Donovan was described as a “beautiful soul” and an “exceptional human being”.
Mr O’Donovan’s other sister, Natalie O’Donovan, read her statement in person, telling the court her brother’s death had left the family “traumatised and broken”.
She said they were not able to have an open casket at his funeral, because the time needed for forensic examination meant his body was too decomposed.
She said: “He was such a clean, well-kept, handsome and proud man, so the fact he was left in the state he was in will forever haunt me.”
The jury had heard Bates was initially getting on well with the other guests, especially Mr O’Donovan, an avionics engineer and “skilled outdoorsman” who had been living in Birmingham at the time.
However as the day wore on Ms Lewzey became concerned about her partner becoming a drunken “nuisance”, and suggested he should leave.
John Benson, KC, prosecuting, had told the jury he became “nasty and irate” towards Ms Lewzey when she tried to stop him from driving home due to his drunken state.
Jonny Humphries/BBC
Police are investigating the crash in Liverpool
Ms Lewzey said she then asked Mr O’Donovan to have a word with Bates as the two men had appeared friendly earlier that evening.
The two men began to argue and a fight ensued, with Mr O’Donovan punching Bates.
Ms Lewzey and her sister, Natalie O’Donovan broke up the fight and Bates was eventually persuaded to let Ms O’Donovan drive him home in his car.
During the 12-minute journey, he was described as “seething” and made threats that he would “kill” Mr O’Donovan.
When Ms O’Donovan stepped out of the vehicle, intending to get a taxi back to the address, Bates tricked her into giving him the car keys and drove off.
A short time later the car appeared on Stonyhurst Road, where Mr O’Donovan happened to be sitting on a low wall outside Ms Lewzey’s house.
‘I’ve done the crime’
He tried to jump out of the way as Bates drove towards him at speed, but was dragged under the wheels and suffered “catastrophic injuries”.
Bates himself called 999 after the collision at 23:47 GMT, telling the operator: “We’ve had an argument and I’ve ran him over.
“Need to send someone quick. I’ve done the crime.”
Mr Benson told the court Bates had no convictions for violence but had two for drink-driving and one for being drunk and disorderly.
Andrew Haslam KC, defending, said his client had worked at the Whitechapel Centre in Liverpool, helping homeless people find accommodation.
He said Bates was thought of as “kind and considerate” by his family and work colleagues, and the offence was “out of character”.
Speaking after the sentencing, Det Ch Insp Alyson Keenan, of Merseyside Police, said: “Bates showed no remorse throughout the trial, not towards Martin O’Donovan or anyone else so terribly affected by his actions.
“The trial only served to add to the pain for Martin’s family, forced to relive an awful set of events in detail and they have shown dignity and strength throughout.”
