Mr Watson, 24, a support worker at brain injury charity Headway, was dragged more than 500ft under the car and died as a result of his injuries – Cheshire Police
The family of a charity worker who was deliberately run over and killed by his girlfriend, a theology student, have described their grief as they said he was murdered by the “only person he trusted most”.
Alice Wood, 23, used her Ford Fiesta as a weapon to run over and kill Ryan Watson, her fiancé, after she accused him of flirting with another woman at a party.
Mr Watson, 24, a support worker at brain injury charity Headway, was dragged more than 500 feet under the car and died as a result of his injuries.
Wood, who was in the final year of studying philosophy, ethics and theology at Manchester University, had claimed it was an accident but she was found guilty of murder after a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court.
In a statement read out after the verdict, Mr Watson's mother, Lisa, 44, said she was living in a nightmare.
Alice Wood, 23, has been warned she may never be eligible for release – Crown Prosecution Service/PA
She said: “Ryan had such a big personality; He was a vibrant, fun-loving, caring person with a heart of gold who would do anything for anyone.
“We will miss him forever. His entire family and friends are heartbroken to learn that we will never see him again.”
She continued: “I can’t imagine how scared Ryan must have been in that moment. The one person Ryan trusted the most is the person who took his own life in such a violent manner. I’m living in a nightmare knowing my son’s final moments were so brutal.”
Wood and Mr Watson began dating at the start of lockdown in March 2020 and got engaged just six months later.
They bought a house together in October 2021 and she was about to graduate from Manchester University when the incident occurred.
She had won a scholarship to study for a master's degree at Cambridge University and had a bright future ahead of her.
The court heard the couple had attended a birthday party for one of Mr Watson's colleagues on the evening in question.
But Wood became angry when she saw him dancing and chatting with other women and accused him of flirting with female guests.
Jurors were told she lost her temper after he clicked with a female guest at the party.
Other participants described how she felt “cold” and how she spent the evening staring intently at him.
After they left the event the argument continued and when they arrived home, Miss Wood – who was three times over the legal alcohol limit – launched an attack on him, using her car as a weapon.
Shocking CCTV video played to the jury showed Wood's Fiesta veering onto the pavement, hitting Mr Watson and throwing him onto the bonnet.
He managed to get back up, but seconds later he was hit a second time, causing him to fall under the front bumper of the car.
In the footage, Mr Watson could be heard screaming as he was pinned under the car. Wood traveled nearly 520 feet before coming to a stop down the road.
After the collision, she then knocked on a neighbor's door and told her: “Please call an ambulance, I think I hit my friend.”
Cheshire Police CCTV footage shows the couple together at a party – Cheshire Police/PA Media
The court heard there was a pool of blood on the road and Mr Watson's legs were sticking out from under the vehicle.
Wood told police and paramedics that she had run over Mr Watson, who died from his asphyxiation injuries, but claimed he had “jumped in front of her car”.
She denied hitting him deliberately and intentionally, insisting it was like “walking into a nightmare” to see him under the car.
But Andrew Ford KC, prosecuting, said Wood killed Mr Watson by “deliberately running him over” and it was not a tragic accident as she claimed.
He said Wood “lost his temper” while arguing with him and “used her car as a weapon.”
Wood and Mr Watson walk to his car after leaving the party – Cheshire Police/PA Media
Following the verdicts, trial judge Michael Leeming adjourned sentencing until January 29 but warned Wood she faced a life sentence and may never be eligible for release.
Reacting to the verdict, Detective Inspector Nigel Parr, of Cheshire Police, said: “Although a conviction will not bring Ryan back, I hope it gives his family a sense of closure knowing that justice has been served.”
“On the night Ryan died, Wood, while under the influence of alcohol, used her vehicle as a weapon, intentionally drove toward him and even continued driving after hitting him.
“She knew what she had done but has since refused to accept responsibility for her actions.
“Thankfully, based on our investigation and the evidence against her, she was found guilty of Ryan’s murder.
“Our thoughts remain with Ryan’s family and friends as they continue to grapple with the devastating events.”
Wood claimed her boyfriend's death was an accident and tried to blame him for their argument – Andrew Price/View Finder Pictures
David Jones, senior crown prosecutor at Mersey-Cheshire CPS, added: “This was a tragic loss of life for a young man who has his whole life ahead of him.”
“Under the influence of alcohol, it was clear that Alice Wood's jealousy was ammunition enough to brutally kill her partner.
“While it will never make up for their devastating loss, I hope today’s sentencing provides some comfort to Ryan’s family, knowing his killer has been brought to justice.”
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