Thug ex-partner admitted ‘I’ve finished the worst factor’ after killing beloved mum-of-two as he now faces life in jail

A THUG ex-partner now faces life in jail after he admitted to doing “the worst factor” after killing a beloved mum-of-two.

Mark Donovan, 39, inflicted 70 separate accidents on Elise Mason, 37, on the dwelling they as soon as shared in Chelmsford, Essex in 2023.

East Anglia Information Service

He has now been sentenced to life[/caption]

Talking then, Elise’s mum stated: “I’ve not solely misplaced my daughter, however I’ve misplaced my finest buddy too.

“Elise was a incredible mom to her youngsters and she or he was cherished by everyone.”

After three hours of deliberation, Donovan was convicted by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court docket on March 5, 2025.

He was sentenced by His Honour Choose Christopher Morgan to a minimal of 16 years.

The killer strangled the mum-of-two and battered her with a lamp at his handle in Nice Baddow, on April 25, 2023.

He then headed to his native pub to throw Elise’s cellphone in the bathroom.

Detective Inspector James Holmes, who led the investigation, stated: “Immediately will not be in any means about triumph.

“Immediately is about Elise and it’s about her pals and her household who proceed to really feel her loss.

“Greater than the rest, Mark Donovan’s actions have left Elise’s youngsters with out their mum and left her wider household with no loving daughter.

“I do know right this moment’s sentence won’t carry again Elise or ease her household’s struggling in any means however I do actually hope that there’s some consolation understanding that Donovan will spend a minimum of 16 years in jail earlier than he’s in any means eligible for launch.”

CCTV confirmed the killer having fun with drinks on the bar then heading to 2 separate therapeutic massage parlours.

After ordering a Chinese language takeaway, he took it to Ilford Police Station within the early hours of April 26, 2023.

There, he informed officers he had finished “the worst factor”.

Donovan was nonetheless consuming his noodles along with his palms whereas talking to police to admit the grotesque crime.

BPM

Flowers had been left on the scene after the mum’s ‘homicide’[/caption]

BPM

Elise was discovered lifeless inside a home[/caption]

Though he handed himself in, he denied homicide and stood trial.

Jurors heard Donovan and Elise had been pals as youngsters earlier than embarking on a relationship in 2010.

After the couple break up in 2022, the killer couldn’t settle for his ex had moved on.

He bombarded the mum with quite a few texts and cellphone calls in a bid to govern her.

On the day of the killing, Elise was seen heading to her former marital dwelling the place Donovan was now dwelling.

Round two hours later, the monster left the home along with his ex-wife’s cellphone and financial institution card.

Elise was later found by the entrance door nonetheless carrying her coat and footwear.

Evil Donovan claimed he was harmless on the grounds of diminished duty and stated Elise had emotionally and bodily abused him.

However jurors noticed via his lies.

He was convicted on February 28 however sentenced on March 5.

Detective Inspector James Holmes, senior investigating officer, beforehand stated: “I wish to specific my heartfelt sympathy to Elise’s household and particularly her two youngsters, who’ve tragically been left with out their mom due to Donovan’s damaging and totally heartless actions.

“Mark Donovan is clearly a harmful, egocentric and manipulative man.

“[His] warped and self-centred thoughts may by no means settle for that Elise had moved on from their relationship.

“He killed her in a match of rage, solely handing himself in after having fun with a drink at a pub, a therapeutic massage and a takeaway meal.

“That behaviour exhibits the sort of man he’s. He can anticipate to spend the remainder of his life the place he belongs.”

How one can get assist

Ladies's Assist has this recommendation for victims and their households:

• All the time preserve your cellphone close by.
• Get in contact with charities for assist, together with the Ladies’s Assist stay chat helpline and providers comparable to SupportLine.
• In case you are at risk, name 999.
• Familiarise your self with the Silent Answer, reporting abuse with out talking down the cellphone, as an alternative dialing “55”.
• All the time preserve some cash on you, together with change for a pay cellphone or bus fare.
• In the event you suspect your companion is about to assault you, attempt to go to a lower-risk space of the home – for instance, the place there’s a means out and entry to a phone.
• Keep away from the kitchen and storage, the place there are prone to be knives or different weapons. Keep away from rooms the place you may turn out to be trapped, comparable to the toilet, or the place you could be shut into a cabinet or different small area.

In case you are a ­sufferer of home abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s e-mail assist ­service is open weekdays and weekends throughout the disaster – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.

Ladies’s Assist gives a stay chat service – out there weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.

You can too name the freephone 24-hour ­Nationwide Home Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.