Man jailed for murdering girlfriend while on bail

Ryan Evans will spend at least 21 years in jail for the murder of Holly Sanchez

A man has been jailed for murdering his girlfriend while he was on bail with conditions not to contact her.

Ryan Evans, 31 and from Oates Walk in Crawley, West Sussex, killed Holly Sanchez in a bungalow in the town in May 2023.

He was found guilty at Hove Crown Court in July, and on Friday was given a minimum term of 21 years and will remain on licence for the rest of his life.

Detectives said Ms Sanchez’s family had to endure “harrowing” details of the injuries Evans inflicted on her during their relationship.

They told how Evans took financial advantage of Ms Sanchez and made repeated threats of violence towards her.

His coercive and abusive behaviour escalated, resulting in her suffering multiple injuries at the hands of Evans who was described by Ms Sanchez’s family as a “cruel and evil monster”.

Her relatives said they hoped the case would raise awareness of how domestic violence can quickly have fatal consequences, and that it would lead to more victims to speak out.

Evans was also found guilty of one count of unlawful wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, plus controlling and coercive behaviour.

During the trial, prosecutor Ryan Richter said: "In the short time they were together, [he] regularly subjected her to domestic violence, beating her and hurting her."

During sentencing the court heard from Ms Sanchez’s mother Kelly who said: “The thought of what Holly went through at the hands of Ryan haunts me every day.

"I cannot understand how someone could hurt my baby girl so badly.”

The initial sentence had been 23 years, but was reduced due to time spent on remand.

Ryan Evans was on bail at the time he murdered Holly Sanchez

Judge Christine Henson KC told Evans: “It’s clear over the short relationship that she had with you that you controlled her emotionally, financially and you physically abused her.

“You had told a friend that you ‘lost it with her’ due to the misguided belief that she was in a relationship with another man.”

On one occasion Ms Sanchez’s brother Matthew Phillips managed to convince her to report her abuse to the police but she later withdrew her complaint after pressure from her boyfriend.

Evans was interviewed and bailed by Sussex Police due to previous incidents with conditions not to contact Ms Sanchez.

Defence barrister Martin Rutherford KC said his client was first convicted of a crime aged 11 as a result of an “awful” personal upbringing and that Evans had not planned to kill Sanchez.

In a statement issued through Sussex Police, Ms Sanchez's family said following sentencing: “Holly was a daughter, granddaughter, aunt, sister, and most importantly a mother. We miss Holly and her infectious laugh every day.

"She was taken from us and her children by a cruel and evil monster, and the sentencing reflects Evans’ brutal treatment of Holly over the last six weeks of her life.

“We hope that Holly’s case raises awareness of how quickly domestic violence can have fatal consequences. We hope that Holly’s story will reach victims of domestic violence that are too scared to speak out and ask for help.

"We also hope that it raises awareness to the families of those who are currently suffering abuse and we would encourage families to pay close attention to any small changes of behaviour by their loved ones.”

Family friend Toby Herrod spoke outside court

Speaking outside court, family friend Toby Herrod said: "Me and my partner Barbara were the last people to hear her voice.

"We normally saw Holly and she'd come up and give us a hug [and say] 'hello Uncle Toby'. It's very sad."

Police found Holly Sanchez dead in a bungalow in Crawley

Det Ch Insp Kelly Lewis, Sussex Police's tactical lead for domestic abuse, said: "We set robust and strict bail conditions if we are bailing domestic abuse suspects.

"We take a really robust stance on those that perpetrate domestic abuse. We will respond to offences effectively, quickly and we will also work with our partners to make sure we are safeguarding victims and their families."

Det Sup Debbie White, the senior investigating officer, said: “I’d like to commend Ms Sanchez’s family who have assisted us throughout this investigation and bravely stood before court to provide vital witness testimonies during the trial.

“They also had to hear the harrowing description of injuries inflicted on Ms Sanchez by Ryan Evans, which included causing significant hand and facial injuries. He also took financial advantage of her and made repeated threats of violence – before his offending escalated and ultimately led to her death in May 2023."

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