Man who strangled his wife convicted of her murder

A man has been found guilty of murdering his estranged wife after he strangled her in his home.

Mark Donovan, 40, had been on trial for the murder of Elise Mason, in Great Baddow, near Chelmsford, Essex, on 25 April 2023.

Ms Mason was wearing her coat and shoes when her body was found by police near the front door after the killing. She had also suffered more than 70 separate injuries.

Donovan is due to be sentenced on Wednesday.

Elise Mason was last seen entering Mark Donovan's house on 25 April 2023

The trial heard how Donovan, of Rothmans Avenue, Great Baddow, denied murdering the 37-year-old at the home they previously shared.

The pair had been teenage friends and began a romance in 2010, living together until their relationship fell apart in 2022.

Earlier in the trial, prosecutor Andrew Jackson KC told Chelmsford Crown Court she was last seen alive at 16:09 BST and was filmed on CCTV approaching the defendant's house.

Jurors heard the visit was a few days before her birthday and she was texting a new partner.

"It wasn't until two hours later that the defendant eventually left that house, leaving Elise's lifeless body inside, taking with him her phone and bank card," Mr Jackson said.

Elise Mason was last seen entering Mark Donovan's home on 25 April 2023

Donovan was later seen drinking at The Blue Lion pub in Great Baddow. He was in the toilets for three minutes and dumped his former partner's phone in the toilet cistern, Mr Jackson said.

He then had two drinks before heading to two massage parlours, one in Chelmsford and a second in Romford.

He was arrested after walking into a police station, while eating noodles from a Chinese takeaway, and telling officers he had done "the worst thing", the prosecutor said.

Ms Mason was found dead with injuries to her neck, face, head and upper body, the court heard.

Some of her injuries had been caused by a fist and a "blood-stained table lamp that was found close to her body", Mr Jackson added.

Donovan said he was innocent on the grounds of diminished responsibility and claimed his former partner had emotionally and physically abused him.

Jurors deliberated for almost three hours before they came to a decision and found him guilty.