Cardiff teen sentenced to life for murdering mother

A teenager has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a mother of three by deliberately driving his car into her outside a Cardiff social club. Kian Bateman, 19, was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, July 3, 2026, after being convicted of murdering Shelley Davies, 38, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to her partner, David Bratcher.

The court heard that on the night of September 27, 2025, Bateman had been at the 4th Glamorgan Home Guard Club in Caerau attending a performance by reggae artist General Levy. After the bar closed, he left in his mother's Seat Ibiza to visit his girlfriend, but returned to the venue when she was not home. A group had gathered outside and the atmosphere was described as growing "ugly."

Bateman saw his brother in a dispute with a group that included Bratcher. During the confrontation, Shelley Davies ended up on the ground. Bateman then accelerated his car toward the group, driving straight over Ms Davies, who was lying on the pavement, before hitting Mr. Bratcher. He drove away from the scene but handed himself in to police the following day.

In her sentencing remarks, Mrs Justice Stacey stated...