A woman who ran over her boyfriend in a sick ‘game of chicken’ after they got into a huge row at a party has been found guilty of his murder. Alice Wood, 23, used her Ford Fiesta as a weapon when she hit fiance Ryan Watson, 24, near the home they shared in Rode Heath, Cheshire, at about 11.30pm on May 6 last year.
Wood denied murder and an alternative count of manslaughter as she claimed her boyfriend’s death was a “tragic accident”.
She told her trial at Chester Crown Court she did not realise he was trapped underneath her car when she drove 158 metres up Sandbach Road before stopping.
Wood showed no emotion as the jury returned its unanimous verdict after less than eight hours of deliberation.
Judge Michael Leeming further remanded her in custody and told her she “may never be released”.
He said: “You have been convicted of the murder of Ryan Watson. There is only one sentence that the law allows and that is life imprisonment.
“I am required to consider the minimum term you must serve in custody before the Parole Board deems it safe for you to be released.
“You may never be released. It is a matter entirely for the Parole Board.”
Wood stared downwards as she left the dock. Sentencing will take place on January 29.
