Violent aggressor convicted of murdering his estranged partner

A man who brutally attacked his estranged partner has been found guilty of her murder today.

Unable to accept that his ex-partner had moved on from their relationship, Mark Donovan, 40, confronted Elise Mason at a property in Great Baddow just after 4pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023.

While at the address, Donovan used a table lamp to deliver catastrophic injuries to Ms Mason who had bravely attempted to defend herself. After beating her violently he proceeded to strangle her. This, coupled with her extensive injuries, contributed to her death.

At trial, prosecutors with CPS East of England provided a timeline of Donovan movements taken from CCTV footage after the murder to demonstrate his lack of care or remorse.

Upon leaving the property, Donovan inexplicably visited a nearby pub for a drink and while there disposed of Ms Mason’s mobile phone in a toilet. He then frequented two massage parlours before calmly visiting a police station the following morning claiming his actions were for his own protection.

The prosecution strongly refuted his false claim to have acted in self-defence and used evidence taken from the scene to show how he intended to seriously harm Elise. Her multiple and horrendous injuries could have no other explanation. This forensic material showed the extent of violence committed against Ms Mason was wholly disproportionate and could not reasonably have been considered self-defence. 

Following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Donovan was found guilty of murder.

Lucy Broughton of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “This was an utterly abhorrent attack, committed by a man who simply could not accept his relationship with Ms Mason was over.

“His nonchalant attitude after committing such a savage murder is indicative of someone who has no remorse ending the life of a woman who had every right to end her association with him.

“Clearly his actions were not of a man defending himself, they were instead those of a violent and dangerous man determined to inflict serious harm.

“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Ms Mason, and we hope they are able to find some level of comfort from this conviction.”

Donovan will be sentenced on 5 March 2025.