Alice Wood who dragged partner under car guilty of murder

A woman who used her car "as a weapon" to kill her fiance after a row at a party has been convicted of murder.

Alice Wood, 23, had denied murdering Ryan Watson, aged 24, near their home in Rode Heath, Cheshire.

She drove at Mr Watson three times before he was dragged for up to 160m (525ft) underneath the car, after he "clicked" with another woman.

And after a trial at Chester Crown Court, the jury found her unanimously guilty.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Watson's family said they had finally got justice for their "beloved son".

Wood had denied murder and an alternative count of manslaughter, claiming Mr Watson's death had been a "tragic accident".

The philosophy student told her trial she did not realise he was trapped underneath her car when she drove up Sandbach Road, before stopping, at about 23:30 BST on 6 May 2022.

However, just before Mr Watson's death, Wood had accused him of flirting with another woman at the party, held in Hanley to celebrate the birthday of a service user of the charity he worked for.

Andrew Ford KC, prosecuting, said Mr Watson was seen on CCTV footage "having a good time, being a gregarious and outgoing party guest," while a woman attending the party had described Wood as "a bit cold".

Tension had also been building between the pair - who had both been drinking alcohol - in an argument over who was driving home, the prosecution had told the court.

Wood then decided she would drive to their home on Oak Street in Rode Heath, Cheshire Police said.

The defendant then got into her Fiesta as Mr Watson walked around the vehicle, with neighbours reporting hearing shouting, doors slamming, and a car engine revving.

CCTV showed the car reversing towards Mr Watson, just missing him. Seconds later, Wood drove at him again, knocking him onto the car's bonnet, said police.

He walked away from that collision, before she drove at him a third time, when he was dragged underneath it, the jury heard.

After dragging Mr Watson 158 metres along the road, Wood then stopped, and asked a nearby resident "please phone an ambulance, I think I've run over my boyfriend".

Judge Michael Leeming told the defendant she "may never be released" from prison.

Wood showed no emotion as the jury returned its verdict.

"There is only one sentence that the law allows and that is life imprisonment," the judge said.

Wood is due to be sentenced on 29 January.

In their statement, Mr Watson's family said: "Alice is in prison where she belongs.

"But no sentence is going to be long enough for what she has taken from us and Ryan, he'll never get to live his life and fulfil his dreams."

Wood used her car "as a weapon" while under the influence of alcohol, said Det Insp Nigel Parr.

She knew what she had done, but since then had refused to take accountability for her actions, he added.

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