'Violent' and 'controlling' man murdered partner

A "violent" and "controlling" man who subjected his partner to "sustained and horrific abuse" before beating her to death has been found guilty of her murder.

Lisa Holland, 39, was found dead on 20 October 2022 in the house she shared with Dale Cole in Burton-upon-Trent.

Cole, 39, had inflicted serious internal injuries and prosecutors said the death was the culmination of a "long period of abuse" in which Holland had suffered at least 30 rib fractures at his hands.

At Stafford Crown Court on Friday, Cole in addition to murder was convicted of three counts of grievous bodily harm with intent.

He previously admitted controlling or coercive behaviour towards Holland between October 2018 and October 2022.

During the murder trial, prosecutor Edward Brown KC told the court that Cole was violent, manipulative and had controlled Holland, who suffered with alcohol dependency and was vulnerable. He also controlled her money, the jury heard.

Members of Holland's family had previously noticed she had black eyes on at least three occasions, while neighbours reported hearing slapping sounds and repeated arguments in which the victim was told to shut up.

Text messages exchanged between the couple were read to the court and revealed Holland complained on multiple occasions of being in pain, aching and unable to cover her bruises with make-up after Cole had beaten her.

On one occasion, Cole told Holland to "stop going on about it" after she complained of pain in her head and face.

In the moments leading up to Holland's murder, Cole, after finishing work, had returned to their home on Victoria Crescent at 16:19 BST to find the front door locked and the key inside the door.

He finally got into the property about ten minutes later and was "plainly furious", the jury heard.

Prosecutors said the attack likely took place at the top of the stairs before Holland either fell or was placed at the bottom of the steps.

Jurors were shown graphic photographs that were taken by Cole on Holland's phone at 16:49 BST as she lay unconscious and fatally injured.

This was about an hour-and-a-half before the defendant phoned 999 at 18:23 BST.

West Midlands Ambulance Service attended and Holland was pronounced dead at about 19:00 BST.

A post-mortem examination found signs of at least 40 rib fractures, with at least 30 of those having been inflicted in the previous weeks and months, the court was told.

Giving evidence, Cole told the court he had been involved in an "altercation" with Holland after he arrived home to find she had been drinking after a period of abstinence.

He described punching her four times at the top of the stairs after she allegedly hit out at him and kicked him.

Cole claimed he then went downstairs and fell asleep on the sofa before waking about 20 minutes later and finding his partner at the bottom of the stairs.

He admitted having given Miss Holland black eyes and punching her, but denied ever stamping on her or kicking her during their relationship.

He said he struggled to cope with his partner's drinking and would "lose control and lash out" when she drank for days at a time - something he said he regretted doing - but added he never intended to cause her serious harm.

He admitted that hitting Holland had led her to fear she would be injured again, but denied he had controlled her money.

Analysis of her bank account found more than 50 deposits were made by the DWP between January 2019 and October 2022, with 50 payments, totalling some £35,000, transferred to Cole with references including "debt to society" and "Lisa loves Dale".

In a tribute shared by police, Holland's family described her as having an "illuminating smile and infectious laughter that would light up any room".

They said: "Dale Cole ended Lisa's life in the most cruel and violent way on 20 October 2022. The devastation this has caused, and the pain we have and continue to endure is almost too much to bear. She will be hugely missed, remaining forever in our hearts."

Lorraine Anson from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Dale Cole subjected Lisa Holland to sustained and horrific abuse over several years. He was violent and controlling throughout their relationship, and his callous conduct resulted in her death."

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