A teenager was caught on CCTV inhaling laughing gas from a balloon shortly before using his car to deliberately hit a mother-of-three.
Kian Bateman, 19, was high on nitrous oxide – laughing gas – before he got into his car and targeted Shelley Davies, 38, outside a Cardiff nightclub on September 27 last year.
Ms Davies had been at the 4th Glamorgan Homeguard Club in Caerau, Cardiff, for a music event by reggae artist and DJ General Levy with her partner, David Bratcher, 40, before she was run over by Bateman.
She was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, but died from her injuries weeks later on October 18.
Mr Bratcher was also seriously injured in the incident, which happened after a ‘disagreement’ between Bateman’s brother and Mr Bratcher, Cardiff Crown Court heard.
During the encounter, Ms Davies ended up on the ground. It was then that Bateman accelerated his car and drove towards Mr Bratcher, not seeing Ms Davies on the floor.
The court heard that Bateman drove ‘straight over’ Ms Davies at around 10mph, then went on to hit Mr Bratcher, who was thrown onto the bonnet of the SEAT Ibiza, which belonged to Bateman’s mother.
Prosecutor Dean Pulling KC, along with Michael Jones KC, read out victim impact statements in court.
Bateman (pictured) was seen inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon on CCTV before getting into the vehicle
Kian Bateman (pictured) was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, and must serve a minimum of 17 years
Shelley Davies (pictured) died on October 18 last year in hospital weeks after the attack
Reading on behalf of Mr Bratcher, Mr Pulling said that the experience had been ‘the most traumatic I’ve ever had’.
He continued: ‘[Shelley] was a huge part of our lives, she held our family together. Losing her in such a sudden and violent way has changed our lives forever.
‘I feel a constant sense of loss and sadness.’
Bateman was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and murdering Ms Davies following a trial in May.
He was sentenced on Friday to life in prison and must serve a minimum of 17 years before being released on licence.
He was cleared of the attempted murder of Mr Bratcher, but was sentenced to five years for the injuries caused to him, which will run concurrently.
Bateman was also banned from driving for 21 years and 109 days.
Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea from South Wales Police said: ‘On September 27, 2025, Shelley Davies, a mother-of-three, went on a night out to watch live music at a local social club with her partner David Bratcher, but tragically never went home after suffering fatal injuries.
‘The court found that Kian Bateman deliberately drove at Shelley and seriously injured David.
‘Shelley was loved dearly, and is greatly missed, by her family and friends. Our thoughts remain with them today as they have been throughout this horrendous ordeal.
‘We would like to thank all the witnesses who assisted the investigation, the Caerau community, as well as the prosecution team.’
Sentencing Kian Bateman, Judge Mary Stacey commended the investigation team and said: ‘I want to pay tribute to the first responders who attended at the scene and dealt so professionally with what they found there.
‘They did what they could to make Mrs Davies comfortable and to treat her in difficult circumstances.
‘This team of detectives approached this awful case with compassion and professionalism.
‘I wish to thank all the police officers and civilian staff who investigated the case and for their detective work and watched and rewatched the CCTV footage that they were able to retrieve, so that this case could be brought to justice.’
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