A 19-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of murdering a woman while under the influence of nitrous oxide. Kian Bateman was found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court of intentionally driving at a group of people outside a nightclub, resulting in the death of 38-year-old Shelley Davies.

The incident occurred when Bateman witnessed his brother involved in an altercation with the group. During the confrontation, Shelley Davies was knocked to the ground and subsequently run over by Bateman’s car, which was traveling at approximately 10 mph. Davies sustained fatal injuries and later died in a hospital in Cardiff. Another individual, identified as Davies’ partner, was also seriously injured in the incident.

Prosecutor Michael Jones stated that Bateman had been inhaling nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, prior to the event. The substance is known to sometimes cause increased aggression. According to the prosecution, Bateman made a conscious decision to accelerate his vehicle towards the group, leading to the collision and injury.

Bateman surrendered to authorities the day after the incident. Following the jury’s verdict, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years before eligibility for parole. The case highlights concerns regarding substance abuse and its impact on violent behavior in young adults.