A man has been jailed for a minimum of 15 years for the brutal murder of his own mother.
After carrying out a “drug-induced, violent and sustained assault” on her at the house they shared, Stephen Ball then phoned his grandmother claiming she found his mum Suzanne Galvin injured.
Bolton Crown Court heard how Ball, 32, killed 55-year-old Suzanne in the “most terrible of circumstances” in September 2023.
Police were initially called to the scene on the night of the incident after neighbours reported hearing a disturbance.
Ball had been heard shouting “thieving b****” and “mum, let me in”.
Shortly after, he called his grandmother Mary who lives in Ireland. He told her he had come back to the flat to find his mother “struggling to breathe”.
He shamelessly claimed he had found her injured, telling his gran that Suzanne’s wrist was broken and that she had bruising to her eyes and shoulder, Greater Manchester Police said.
Mary told him to take her to hospital, but he said that “his mum didn’t want to go then and would go in the morning”.
She asked him to call an ambulance after hearing her daughter’s ‘erratic’ breathing but he claimed he had no credit on his phone.
She then put the phone down to call the ambulance herself, then once she called back Ball his phone was dead.
When the emergency services arrived at the property on Pear Avenue in Bury on September 16, they discovered that the victim had suffered “serious injuries” as a result of a “violent assault”,
Suzanne died two days later from head injuries sustained by “blunt force”. A pathologist noticed that she had sustained “distinctive” bruising to her face which were “consistent with kicks or stamping”.
Manchester Evening News reported the bruising was also consistent with the sole of Ball’s Asics trainers. Suzanne had also suffered bruising to both arms and both of her forearms were fractured.
Ball was arrested at the scene and later quizzed by detectives. At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Judge Martin Walsh said: “No explanation was given by you as to why the attack upon your mother took place.
“You did not give evidence during the course of the trial, and so no explanation is forthcoming as to the circumstances in which your mother was killed.”
The court was told that Ball and his mother had an “argumentative and aggressive” relationship, and that they both struggled with addiction.
The victim was seen with facial injuries in the days before her death. Judge Walsh said there was evidence of “violent and threatening behaviour” prior to the killing displayed by Ball towards his mother, and further evidence that he had been taking drugs in those days.
Ball admitted manslaughter on the basis of the partial defence of diminished responsibility. He denied murder but jurors found him guilty following a week-long trial.
Ball was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 15 years. He is currently undergoing treatment at Ashworth high-security psychiatric hospital in Merseyside.
Following the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe said: “Firstly, our thoughts and prayers remain with Mary, Suzanne’s mum and Stephen’s grandmother, who has lost her daughter in the most terrible of circumstances. This was a drug induced violent and sustained assault on a lady who was completely innocent.
“Whatever sentence was imposed today, sadly it will not bring Suzanne back. Violence against women and girls remains a priority for GMP and we will do everything in our power to ensure those who commit these offences are identified, charged and brought to justice.
“If you or someone you know has been the victim of assault, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You will be believed and we will investigate every complaint.”
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