Rode Heath, West Midlands – A woman has been sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison after she drove at her fiance and dragged him more than 150m along a road, resulting in his death.
Alice Wood, 24, was found guilty last month at Chester Crown Court and was sentenced to life on Friday. The incident occurred after Wood and her partner Ryan Watson, 24, had been arguing following a party in May 2022. Wood claimed his death was a “tragic accident” but was convicted of murder.
The couple had attended the party with staff and service users of the brain injury charity Headway, where Mr. Watson worked as a support worker. Tensions arose when Mr. Watson was seen “clicking” with another woman at the party, leading to an argument with Wood. The situation escalated when they returned home, and an altercation occurred over who would drive home.
Wood then used her car as a weapon, driving at Mr. Watson three times, ultimately dragging him underneath the vehicle for 158m along the road. She stopped and asked a nearby resident to phone an ambulance, claiming that she thought she had run over her boyfriend.
Following her conviction, Mr. Watson’s family expressed their grief, stating that no sentence would ever be long enough for the life that Wood had taken from them and from Mr. Watson. They emphasized that he would never get to live his life and fulfill his dreams.
The tragic incident has not only resulted in a prison sentence for Wood but has also left a family grieving the loss of their loved one. Wood’s actions have had a lasting impact, highlighting the devastating consequences of violent actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of conflict resolution and peaceful solutions in interpersonal relationships.