Killer convicted of stamping his own mum to death after police find key clue

Stephen Ball, 32, killed his own mother Suzanne Galvin at their home in Bury during a drug-induced rampage and she was found with multiple patches of bruising to her body

A man who killed his own mum was caught after tread marks from his trainers were found on her face after he stamped on her.

Stephen Ball, 32, attacked Suzanne Galvin, 55, at their home in Bury, Greater Manchester and she was found with multiple patches of bruising to her body. It included 'patterning' to her face which was consistent with the sole of Mr Ball's Asics trainers, Bolton Crown Court heard.

The defendant was found guilty of murder on November 1 having denied the charge, but previously admitted manslaughter. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 15 years for the drug-induced rampage. Jurors had been told that shortly before 8pm on September 16, 2023, a disturbance was heard by neighbours, coming out of the flat on Pear Avenue. Ball was heard shouting "thieving b****" and "mum let me in", it was said.

A number of calls were made to the emergency services, and at around the same time Ball called his grandmother, Mary Galvin, who lives in Ireland, Gordon Cole KC, prosecuting, said, reported the Daily Star. "He said he had come back to the flat to find she was injured. He said he didn't know if she had been attacked but said she was struggling to breathe," the prosecutor continued. He told his grandmother that Suzanne said she did not want to go to hospital and that she would go in the morning.

Mrs Galvin asked to speak to her daughter and could hear her breathing 'erratically', jurors heard. She tried to persuade Ball to call an ambulance but he said he had 'no credit' and so called 999 herself, it was said. Suzanne Galvin was found unresponsive on a mattress with extensive bruising and was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where she died two days later. Mr Ball was arrested at the scene and gave 'conflicting' accounts to the police, the court heard.

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."