Birmingham Man Found Guilty of Murder Following Deliberate Vehicle Attack
A Birmingham man has been convicted of murder after intentionally driving his BMW into a father, causing traumatic and ultimately fatal head injuries. Michael Povey, aged 29, was found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court following a trial that exposed his elaborate attempts to conceal his crimes.
Fatal Incident on Ormscliffe Road
The tragic events unfolded on July 21, 2025, in the Rednal area of Birmingham. Lee Baker, aged 28, was walking along Ormscliffe Road with his twin brother following a disagreement with three other men. Unbeknownst to them, Michael Povey had learned about the altercation and set out to locate the brothers.
At approximately 5.10pm, CCTV footage captured Povey driving to the rear of shops off Ormscliffe Road, where he collected two friends before proceeding to search for Lee Baker and his brother. Upon spotting them, Povey deliberately mounted the pavement with his BMW, striking Lee as his brother narrowly managed to avoid the vehicle.
The impact sent Lee Baker backwards with tremendous force, while the BMW continued forward through a hedge before colliding with the front wall of a residential property on the road. A subsequent post-mortem examination determined that Lee died from a severe head injury sustained during the incident.
Attempted Cover-Up and Investigation
Following the collision, Povey and the two other occupants quickly exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. In a brazen act, Povey returned to the crime scene minutes later without the high-visibility vest he had been wearing earlier.
He then proceeded to his address on Ryde Park Road, where he changed his clothing in an apparent attempt to alter his appearance. Povey subsequently contacted West Midlands Police, falsely reporting that his car had been stolen and claiming that "one of the yobs" had taken his vehicle and used it to run someone over.
During the call, which was recorded, Povey stated he was "panicking" and expressed fear about returning to the scene because "someone's been hurt." He maintained this fabricated story when speaking with officers at the location, as captured on body-worn camera footage.
Unravelling the Web of Lies
Detectives from the Major Crime Unit conducted a thorough investigation that gradually exposed Povey's deception. Crucial CCTV evidence revealed that after fleeing the initial scene, Povey returned to the rear of the shops off Ormscliffe Road, where he was heard shouting "I've just rammed them with my car."
Despite being presented with this evidence during police interviews, Povey continued to maintain his false narrative about the car theft. However, the comprehensive investigation ultimately provided overwhelming proof of his guilt.
At the start of his trial, Povey pleaded guilty to perverting the course of public justice. He has now been convicted of murder and is scheduled to appear again at Birmingham Crown Court on April 10 for sentencing.
Family Tribute and Police Statement
In a heartfelt tribute released following Lee Baker's death, his family described him as "a loving son, father, brother and nephew" who was "everything to us and will be sadly missed." They added that "he was loved by everyone."
Detective Inspector Michelle Cordell from the Major Crime Unit commented: "Our thoughts first and foremost remain with all of Lee's family, friends, and everyone who knew him. Michael Povey used a vehicle as a weapon. He deliberately struck Lee Baker and having done so, he callously fled the scene."
"Instead of taking responsibility for his actions, his first instinct was to lie. He tried to play the part of an innocent man, but this couldn't have been further from the truth. Through our investigation, we were able to unravel his lies and the evidence recovered put him before the court. His actions took the life of a much-loved son, father, and brother."
DI Cordell concluded: "I hope the verdict provides some peace for Lee's family, with the knowledge that Povey will now have to face the consequences of his crimes."
