Overview
- Sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on November 28, Bates received life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years.
- He was convicted of murder by a 10–2 majority verdict earlier this month after pleading not guilty.
- Merseyside Police released CCTV, a 999 call and bodycam footage showing Bates driving to the scene and later admitting, "I know what I've done."
- The fatal collision followed a family 70th birthday gathering in Woolton, where Bates was heavily intoxicated and had argued with the victim.
- Martin O’Donovan, 47, was trapped beneath the car, freed by relatives and later died in hospital from serious head injuries.