Today, Stephen Bates has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years after being found guilty of murdering Martin O’Donovan in April. On a night where Martin’s family were celebrating his mother’s 70th birthday, Bates was heavily intoxicated, and people intervened to prevent him from... driving. Bates returned to the scene in his car, using it as a weapon to fatally injure 47-year-old Martin who was sitting outside the house. Martin was seriously injured after the car was driven at him on Stonyhurst Road. Emergency services attended the scene, and Martin was taken to hospital, but he sadly died from his injuries. The video footage shows Bates, 42, of Herondale Road, Mossley Hill, in his car moments before he murdered Martin, his 999 call to the police and his arrest. Following Bates’ sentencing, we are issuing the following words from Martin’s family, who describe him as a “kind, intelligent, generous and deeply loved man” ❤️ "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.” To read the full press release, visit the ‘news’ section of our website.show more

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