Man who strangled estranged wife to death jailed

A man who strangled and beat his estranged wife to death has been handed a life sentence.

Elise Mason's body was found with more than 70 injuries at Mark Donovan's home in Great Baddow near Chelmsford in April 2023.

Donovan had a drink at his local pub after killing the 37-year-old mother-of-two, before handing himself in at a police station in east London.

The 40-year-old, of Rothmans Avenue, Great Baddow, was given a minimum 18-year sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court.

He refused to enter the dock for the hearing.

Jurors at Donovan's trial were told their relationship broke down in 2022, but that he suspected she had found a new lover.

"This was a brutal attack on a defenceless woman; on a woman who was attempting to leave the house," said Judge Chris Morgan.

"You killed her in a jealous rage because she sent a message to her boyfriend."

He added: "You attempted to destroy her newfound happiness."

The trial was told Ms Mason left her mother's house at 15:50 BST on 25 April and was seen on CCTV approaching Donovan's home at 16:09.

He said he invited her to the home - that they previously shared - and was giving her a present ahead of her 38th birthday.

She texted her new partner "you OK babe?" at 16:42, but his reply - "course babe" - was never marked as read.

The court heard Donovan threatened to harm her and her boyfriend in February 2023, and that he was serving a suspended sentence at the time for an assault charge, and had broken his restraining order.

After strangling her and inflicting more than 70 injuries, including striking her with a table lamp, he had a drink in the nearby Blue Lion pub.

The 40-year-old handed himself in at a police station in Ilford in the early hours of the morning, having bought a Chinese takeaway.

Donovan did not give live evidence during his trial, but claimed Ms Mason was abusive to him and that he was defending himself at the time.

"You have shown no remorse whatsoever, only self-pity," said Judge Morgan.

"I am satisfied that Elise did not attack you in any way."

In a statement, her 16-year-old daughter said she was killed for trying to leave an "abusive relationship" and for trying to give her children a "better life".

Ms Mason's mother said the family had moved away from their Essex home because of so many bad memories.

Donovan is due to serve at least 16 years and 50 days in prison because of time already spent in custody.

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