Stephen Bates was jailed for life today for running over and killing his girlfriend’s brother Martin O’Donovan on the night they first met
Martin O’Donovan(Image: Merseyside Police )
A killer wiped away tears today as his victim’s sister described the “living nightmare” he created. Martin O’Donovan died aged 47 after being hit by Stephen Bates’ Ford Fiesta on Stonyhurst Road in Woolton following his mum’s 70th birthday party.
While the two were initially said to have “hit it off straight away” after meeting for the first time during the celebrations, they later became embroiled in a drunken punch up when the 42-year-old defendant apparently insisted on driving home, despite having downed a cocktail of Jagerbombs, Stella Artois, Red Bull and vodka. He then allegedly threatened that he would “pay someone to come and get” the other man before returning to the scene in his car and “deliberately driving straight at him”.
Mr O’Donovan was left trapped beneath the chassis as a result, with his uncles and cousins having to work together in order to lift the vehicle up and free him. However, he subsequently died in hospital after suffering serious head injuries during the incident.
Bates, of Herondale Road in Mossley Hill, meanwhile went on to tell the officers who arrested him “I know what I’ve done, I’ve f***ed up”. He was found guilty of Mr O’Donovan’s murder earlier this month following a trial.
Having returned to Liverpool Crown Court in order to be sentenced today, Friday, one of Martin’s sisters, Natalie O’Donovan, appeared emotional as she read a statement to the court, turning to the dock as she said: “Writing this has been one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. How could I put into words the impact that this has had on me? Martin was my brother, my best friend, and the one person I could confide in. He was everything and more that a big brother should be.
“Being so close then losing him in such horrific and senseless circumstances has broken me for life. To go from dancing, hugging and laughing that night, to watching him laying lifeless and broken, with blood pouring from mouth, then identifying his body in a morgue, has left me completely broken hearted and traumatised, images that will never go away.”
Wearing a beige jumper over a shirt and tie, Bates was seen wiping away tears at this stage. Natalie then went on to tell the court: “My mother and father never got to kiss their son goodbye.
“I felt suicidal at times, not being able to fully comprehend the fact that he’s gone. I’m wishing this had all just been a terrible nightmare for everyone, but it’s not. It’s a living nightmare that plays in my head every night.
“We will never be the same as we were before. The only sense of hope from the future comes from knowing Martin would want us to be ok.
“That we’ve seen no respect, ownership or remorse for what has happened is sickening. I wore my brother’s favourite watch throughout the trial, the one removed from him that night. That’s what I’ve gained strength from.
“There are no winners. We will miss Martin for the rest of our lives. Today, I will stand proud, most of all proud of my brother, Martin O’Donovan. What we do in life echoes in eternity. Some people are forever remembered as cowards. Martin will always be remembered as a great man.”
Ms O’Donovan also read out a statement on behalf of her dad, also called Martin O’Donovan, who said: “My heart is broken and my soul is ripped apart by Martin’s death. The pain of losing my son and best friend will never leave me. He didn’t just kill me, he destroyed my life as well. No father should see his namesake and only son on the gravestone before him.”
John Benson KC previously told the jury during the prosecution’s opening that the party at the home of another of Mr O’Donovan’s sisters, Susanne Lewzey, on the evening of April 18 this year had “started off as a happy family occasion”, with a “jolly atmosphere” being described as they celebrated their mum’s 70th birthday. However, Bates was said to have become “progressively more inebriated” during the course of the evening.
This led to a row between him and Ms Lewzey, his girlfriend of 19 months, during which he refused to take a taxi home and instead insisted on driving. Mr O’Donovan, who had only met his sister’s partner for the first time that evening but had “got on well” with him, was asked to reason with him as a result.
But the two men instead ended up exchanging punches in the front garden, with Bates shouting after the fighting had been broken up: “Look at you. You’re a f***ing p***y. You’re a c***. You’re all c***s.”
While Bates ultimately agreed that Natalie O’Donovan could drive him home in his car, he was described as being “seething” during this 12-minute journey and “furious with Martin O’Donovan for what had happened earlier”. He was also said to have “said he’d kill him” and would “get someone to kill him”, adding that he “wasn’t going to get away with having punched him”.
Having directed Ms O’Donovan to drive to Barndale Road, the street next to where he lived, Bates then took hold of the car keys and “sped off” without her. With the return journey back to Stonyhurst Road having taken him only five minutes to complete, he reportedly “suddenly turned and drove straight at Martin O’Donovan”, who had been sitting on a wall outside the address.
Bates then apparently continued revving the engine as he seemingly attempted to continue driving, being labelled “completely unmoved” following the collision. Ms Lewzey, who had witnessed the crash, meanwhile banged on his window in a “hysterical” state while “screaming for him to stop”.
Mr Benson said of Mr O’Donovan’s injuries: “It was clear to medics that he was critically injured. He suffered two cardiac arrests before he was taken to hospital. Lifesaving procedures were undertaken. These were futile. He was pronounced life extinct at 4.32am on the 19th of April at 47 years of age.
“The injuries supported a conclusion that Martin O’Donovan had been run over at least once. The injuries to his skull were extensive. He also suffered extensive chest and abdominal injuries.”
Following the incident, Bates was said to have got out of his car and remarked “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, what have I done?”. Shortly after 11.45pm, he went on to make a 999 call in which he said: “I’ve just run someone over on Stonyhurst Road. I think they’re dead.
“They’re not moving. They’re not breathing. We had an argument, and I’ve run him over. You need to send someone quick. I’ve done the crime. I don’t know what we were arguing over, but it’s my girlfriend’s brother.”
Stephen Bates was found guilty of the murder of Martin O’Donovan(Image: Merseyside Police)
Police who attended the scene noted that Bates was “extremely intoxicated”, while he told officers “I know mate, I’m not going anywhere” as he was handcuffed. Having then been told he would be required to undergo a breathalyser test, he added: “I know what I’ve done. I know what I’ve done is wrong. I’ve f***ed up.”
Bates has five previous convictions for nine offences, including burglary. He also appeared in court for drink driving in 2007 and 2022, as well as drunk and disorderly behaviour in 2009.
Andrew Haslam KC, defending, said on his behalf this morning: “We submit that the facts of this case demonstrate the defendant’s decision to drive at the deceased must have happened either by way of a spontaneous reaction or on the spur of the moment, given he could not have known the deceased would be outside and could not have seen the deceased until moments before. He has always accepted that he caused the deceased’s death by his unlawful act. He has to live with the knowledge that, even on his own admission, he caused the loss, the death of a father, of a son, of a brother and a much loved friend to many people, it would seem.
“Your honour knows just how valued he was as a project manager at the Whitechapel Centre, helping the homeless to find a home and maintain life skills for independent living. Described by his mother as his rock, he is, on any view, a loving son, grandson, uncle, brother and friend.
“People describe him as being both kind and considerate and, plainly, a man committed, in the past, to his family, particularly to both his nieces, a loyal brother and a loyal uncle, one, but for this tragedy, who did seem to have a positive future ahead of him. There is talk, in his sister’s statement, of him having plans to set up his own business.
“He has taken steps to advance his position whilst in prison. He has applied to become a mentor to help those who have suffered mental health issues as he, the defendant, has in the past. Whilst we acknowledge that those matters of personal mitigation are of limited relevance to a case of this nature, they do perhaps paint a picture of a very different man to the one that the jury convicted of the most serious crime of them all.”
Bates then stood with his head bowed and showed no reaction as he was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years behind bars. Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC told him: “He died on what should have been a day of celebration, to mark his mother’s 70th birthday. Instead, the day ended in tragedy, with guests at the party being devastated by the violent death of a man who they loved dearly.
“To his mother, he was a man with a beautiful soul who made impact on everyone he met. His father’s life has been destroyed by the loss of his best friend. His brother describes him as a loyal and devoted friend, a man whose energy and warmth touched many lives. He was an accomplished avionics engineer, a skilled outdoorsman and an exemplary human being.
“His sisters have lost their protector, a man who they regarded as loving, strong and fiercely loyal. Susanne’s grief has been made even worse by the knowledge that the man who killed her beloved brother was a man who she trusted and never thought would do anything to harm her or her family.
“You were invited to that party. Also present was Martin O’Donovan, who, at the time, was living in Birmingham. You had not previously met Martin O’Donovan, but you got on well. There we no indication of the violence that was to erupt later that evening.
“Although you decided to go home, you initially insisted on driving yourself, despite the fact you were clearly unfit to do so. When Susanne Lewzey tried to stop you from getting into your car, you became abusive towards her. Rather than continuing to engage with you, she went inside the house and asked her brother to see if he could stop you driving home.
“As a result of something one of you said to the other, a fight broke out between you and Martin O’Donovan. Although I cannot be sure you started that fight, there is no doubt it was your nasty and drunken behaviour that caused it to happen.
“Eventually, you agreed to let Natalie O’Donovan to drive you home in your car. Following the fight, and during the journey home, you were abusive towards Susanne Lewzey’s family and repeatedly threatened to kill Martin O’Donovan or arrange for someone else to kill him. I cannot be sure that you meant those threats to be taken seriously, but they indicate your state of mind and continued animosity to Martin O’Donovan.
“You drove off and returned to Stonyhurst Road. By that time, Martin O’Donovan was sitting on the low wall outside, having a drink and perhaps a cigarette. You drove quickly along Stonyhurst Road. You then quite deliberately drove onto the pavement and ran over Martin O’Donovan, trapping him under your car.
“That was no accident. It was a determined act of aggression, directed towards someone who had done nothing to provoke you to act in that way. Martin O’Donovan suffered extensive injuries to his skull and extensive chest and abdominal injuries. As a result of your actions, Martin O’Donovan died on the 19th of April.
“During your trial, you disavowed any connection between running over Martin O’Donovan and your earlier argument. That was clearly untrue, and a blatant attempt to avoid responsibility for your actions.
“At the scene and at the police station, you were obstructive and showed no concern for the wellbeing of Martin O’Donovan. You were only concerned for the impact of your actions on your own life.
“I have read references, written by your mother, sister, grandfather, friend and manager. It is clear that, in recent times, you have suffered with poor mental health, primarily as a result of the breakdown of your marriage.
“I shall also take into account the support that you provide to your immediate family and the high regard in which you are held by your colleagues at work. That said, personal mitigation is of limited value in such a serious case.
“I am sure that the main reason you returned to Stonyhurst Road was to confront Martin O’Dononvan because you were angry about and humiliated by what had happened earlier. Given what you said in the car to Natalie O’Donovan, I am sure that you intended to use violence towards Martin O’Donovan, even if you did not intend to kill him.
“I cannot be sure that, when you left the Mossley Hill area, you intended to use your car as a weapon or have it available as a weapon. I am sure that your decision to drive at Martin O’Donovan was a spontaneous decision, fuelled by alcohol and rage and made when you saw him sitting on the wall outside the house.
“Although I accept that the offence of murder was neither planned nor premeditated, you did make a determined effort to return to confront Martin O’Donovan. This offence was committed outside the home address of Martin O’Donovan’s sister. Family members of all ages saw him trapped under your car and fatally injured.
“I cannot be sure that you intended to kill Martin O’Donovan. In my judgement, what you did was so dangerous and carried with it such an obvious risk of death that you gain little benefit from the absence of an intention to kill.
“I accept that you have shown some remorse for causing the death Martin O’Donovan. However, that is tempered by your behaviour following the fatal incident, during which time you were clearly only concerned for yourself.”
Martin’s meanwhile family said in a further statement which was issued following the hearing: “Martin was a kind, intelligent, generous and deeply loved man. A brother, son, uncle and friend whose warmth, humour and integrity touched everyone around him. His absence has left a hole in our lives that will never be filled.
“The actions that took Martin from us were deliberate, senseless and cruel. Throughout this process, we have seen no sign of remorse from the defendant, no acknowledgment of the suffering caused or the life taken and lives destroyed. That absence of humanity has compounded our grief and made this ordeal even harder to bear.
“While today’s outcome brings a measure of accountability, it cannot bring justice in any true sense. There is no sentence long enough, no words strong enough, to balance the loss of Martin.
“We will carry his memory with us always, and our focus now is on honouring the life he lived rather than the manner in which it was taken. We wish to thank the Merseyside Police, the prosecution team and all those who have supported us with professionalism and compassion through this difficult time.”