A MAN has been jailed for life for the violent murder of his own mother after tread patterns from his trainers was matched to marks on her body.
Stephen Ball, 32, of Pear Avenue in Bury, Greater Manchester, was sentenced on Friday to a minimum of 15 years for the vicious murder of Suzanne Galvin.
The 55-year-old died in hospital two days after the assault, which was carried out at her Bury home last September.
"This was a drug-induced, violent and sustained assault on a lady who was completely innocent," said Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe of Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Conflicting reports
Bolton Crown Court heard that just before 8pm on September 16, 2023, a disturbance was reported at Ms Galvin's address, with a man shouting for his mum to let him in.
Shortly after this, Ball made a call to his grandmother, who lives in Ireland, telling her that he had come back to the flat to find his mother injured and struggling to breathe.
He told her that his mum's wrist was broken and that she had bruising to her eyes and shoulder.
Advising her grandson to take his mum to the hospital, Ball replied that his mum didn't want to go then and would instead go in the morning.
Ms Galvin's mother asked Ball to put the phone near to her daughter and was able to hear that her breathing was erratic.
She asked Ball to call an ambulance, but he said he couldn't due to having no credit on his phone.
Ms Galvin's mother put the phone down to call the ambulance herself but when she tried to call her grandson back afterwards, she described the phone as being 'dead'.
As police attended the reported disturbance, Ms Galvin was found unresponsive on a mattress on the floor, with visible blood and extensive bruising.
Ball was also in the flat and when asked, he provided conflicting accounts of how his mother's extensive injuries all over her body had occurred.
Sadly, Ms Galvin passed away from her injuries on Monday, September 18, with Ball subsequently being charged with her murder two days later.
When Ball was initially arrested on suspicion of assault on September 16, a pair of his trainers were seized.
It was found that the tread pattern of the trainers matched some of the marks on Ms Galvin's skin.
'Thoughts and prayers'
"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," said SIO Thorpe.
"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."
