Drunk driver Stephen Bates jailed for murdering Martin O’Donovan with his car at family party in Liverpool
A Mossley Hill man has been jailed for life for murdering Martin O’Donovan after driving his car into him during a family birthday celebration in Woolton.
Shortly before midnight on April 18, Martin O’Donovan, 47, was fatally injured on Stonyhurst Road when Stephen Bates drove a car directly at him.
Emergency services took Martin to hospital, but he later died from his injuries.
Earlier that evening, Martin’s family had gathered to celebrate his mother’s 70th birthday.
Police said Bates had been “heavily intoxicated” at the event and guests had attempted to stop him from driving by removing him from the gathering.
Despite their efforts, he returned in his car and drove at Martin, who had been sitting outside the house.
Bates, 42, of Herondale Road, Mossley Hill, was arrested at the scene and later charged with murder.
He was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, November 3 and was sentenced on Friday to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years.
Det Chief Insp Alyson Keenan, Senior Investigating Officer, said what should have been a joyous family occasion had been turned into “violence and then devastation”.
She added: “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.
“Nothing can reverse the events of April, but we hope this outcome at least provides some solace as they continue to come to terms with their loss.”
In a statement issued through Merseyside Police, Martin’s family described him as a kind, intelligent and deeply loved man whose warmth “touched everyone around him”.
They said: “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.
“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.”
The family also thanked Merseyside Police, prosecutors and supporters for their compassion throughout the case.