A man who murdered his girlfriend has been jailed for life and told that he will serve a minimum term of 23 years.
Ryan Evans, 31, killed Holly Sanchez, 32, after wrongly accusing the mother of five of seeing another man, Hove Crown Court was told today (Friday 13 September).
Evans was on police bail at the time of her death – and one of the conditions was that he should not contact Mrs Sanchez directly or indirectly.
But she died at his home in Oates Walk, Tilgate, Crawley, in May last year and when the police arrived at the bungalow, they could immediately see several injuries.
Judge Christine Henson said that those who knew Mrs Sanchez in happier times described her as kind, caring and full of laughter.
Judge Henson said: “Unfortunately, leading up to her death, Holly developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol which intensified in its destructive effect on her when she met you, Ryan Evans.
“It is clear over the short relationship she had with you, you controlled her emotionally, financially and physically abused her.
“Her family describe her as appearing ‘lost and scared’ in the weeks leading up to her death, often displaying the physical bruising to her face and body meted out by you upon her.
“Her brother Matthew, who attended throughout the trial and gave clear and composed evidence in the most difficult of circumstances, did all he could to support his sister and even persuaded her on one occasion to tell the police of some of abusive suffering she had been subjected to at your hands.”
The judge said that her account was captured on body-worn camera footage a short time before her death and was played as part of the evidence in the trial.
Judge Henson said: “Sadly, Holly Sanchez retracted her account on the following morning, saying her numerous injuries were from falling out of car.
“It was evident on the (footage) how frightened she was of you – and how she feared for her life should she speak out about your behaviour towards her.
“In the days leading up to Holly Sanchez’s death, she was subjected to a number of horrific assaults. Her injuries at the time of her death were numerous and extensive – 59 injuries recorded at the post-mortem examination.
“Her injuries externally were severe and included multiple bruises and significant swelling of her face and head, such that she was unable to open her eyes in the 48 hours before her death.
“She had suffered a traumatic brain injury – normally associated with a significant road traffic accident or a fall from height – which had occurred at least 48 hours before her death.
“Despite being in obvious pain, rather than seeking medical help for her, you subjected her to at least one further assault of most likely kicking, stamping on and punching her which led to multiple rib fractures between six to 24 hours before her death.
“Even then you did not seek medical help for her. The final ultimate cause of death was pneumonia from the significant chest infection following puncturing of the lungs due to the rib fractures.
“The court heard evidence that you told a friend ‘you had lost it’ with her due to the misguided belief she had been seeing another man.
“When arrested and interviewed you denied being in a relationship with Holly Sanchez, denied assaulting her and instead sought to blame others for her injuries or said that she had caused the injuries to herself while intoxicated.
“You were convicted after trial of her murder (and) wounding (her) on an earlier occasion when you had burnt her face with a cigarette or joint end, assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) on an earlier occasion when Holly Sanchez had been punched by you and received two black eyes and the overarching offence of controlling and coercive behaviour during your short relationship.
“Ryan Evans, you are now 31 years of age. You have amassed 48 convictions for 73 offences of which 15 are for assaults.
“Even as a juvenile you were involved in offences of violence. Many of your convictions relate to abuse and violence towards ex partners.
“The only sentence I can impose on you by law for murder is one of life imprisonment. I must also set the minimum period that you must serve before you become eligible to be considered for parole.
“This period is not intended in any way to reflect the value of Holly’s life, which to those who loved her is immeasurable. It is solely to reflect your culpability for her murder within the abusive relationship.
“Holly’s vulnerabilities were beyond her alcoholism and the court heard evidence from neighbours and family of her fragile mental health after her children were taken into care and her husband (Carols Sanchez was sent to) prison.
“You have a proven history of violence in a domestic context as demonstrated by your previous convictions.
“It is clear that you committed some if not all of the assaults on Holly Sanchez that ultimately led to her death while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
Judge Henson said that the sentence would reflect the other offences of which Evans was convicted, adding: “The minimum term you will serve in custody is 23 years.”
