Murder suspect 'had drink in pub after assault'

A man accused of beating his estranged partner to death with a table lamp then went to the pub for a drink, a court heard.

Mark Donovan, 39, is alleged to have murdered Elise Mason in Great Baddow, near Chelmsford, Essex, on 25 April 2023, inflicting 70 injuries on her.

Jurors were shown CCTV footage of Mr Donovan entering The Blue Lion pub in Great Baddow while wearing a distinctive black puffer jacket with two white strips over his chest and black trousers.

Mr Donovan, of Rothmans Avenue, Great Baddow, denied murdering the 37-year-old.

The trial heard Ms Mason left her mother's house at 15:50 BST on 25 April, "never to return".

Prosecutor Andrew Jackson told Chelmsford Crown Court she was last seen alive at 16:09 as she was filmed on CCTV approaching the defendant's house on the day of the alleged murder.

He said Mr Donovan was later seen drinking in the pub and was in the toilets for three minutes where he dumped his former partner's phone in the toilet cistern.

While showing the court an image of the opened toilet cistern, Mr Jackson said: "The black object, despite being a bit altered because of the water, appears to be Elise's phone."

Mr Donovan had two drinks before heading to two massage parlours, one in Chelmsford and a second in Romford, the court heard.

The pair had been teenage friends and began a romance in 2010, living together in Great Baddow until their relationship fell apart in 2022, Mr Jackson said.

Mr Donovan sent Ms Mason a series of texts and phone calls in the lead-up to her death in an effort to win her back, he added.

Catheryn Taylor, criminal intelligence analyst for Essex Police, was cross examined over text messages and calls on their phones.

Ms Mason had a new partner and Mr Jackson said the messages with him "were expressing love and affection for each other."

However, there were several messages sent from Mr Donovan's phone to Ms Mason between 18 March and 25 April.

Mr Jackson said the text messages had "references to rekindle friendship".

A message read: "It can't be changed but it can be mended."

Another said: "Don't give up on us" and also asked her for a fresh start.

The trial continues.

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