Overview
- Prosecutors opened their case at Liverpool Crown Court, saying Bates intended to kill Martin O'Donovan or cause really serious harm.
- The court heard there was a drunken punch-up at a 70th-birthday gathering in Woolton before Bates allegedly returned in a Ford Fiesta and drove straight at O'Donovan outside his sister's home.
- During a 12-minute journey before returning, Bates was described as seething and making threats that he would kill O'Donovan.
- Bates' partner, Susanne Lewzey, tried to stop him from driving, then banged on the car and shouted that he had run O'Donovan over.
- Police recorded Bates as extremely intoxicated and quoted him saying, "I know what I've done," while the jury was told the victim's injuries were consistent with being run over at least once.