Chloë Ashley was instructed, alongside Edward Brown KC of QEB Hollis Whiteman, by the West Midlands CPS Complex Casework Unit to prosecute Dale Cole, who was today sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment for the murder of his former partner, Lisa Holland, following his conviction after a trial at Stafford Crown Court. Mark Heywood KC, leading Laura Pitman of Castle Gate Chambers, appeared for the defence.
The prosecution case was that the defendant subjected the deceased to a sustained and escalating course of controlling, coercive and violent behaviour over a prolonged period, culminating in a fatal and brutal assault at their home in Burton-on-Trent in October 2022. The relationship was characterised by intimidation, domination and repeated violence, placing the deceased in a position of acute vulnerability.
The jury heard evidence of extensive internal and external injuries, including multiple rib fractures and significant internal trauma, demonstrating a pattern of repeated abuse rather than any isolated incident. The prosecution relied upon experts specialising in Osteoarticular and Forensic Pathology, along with a Consultant Cardiothoracic Histopathologist and Consultant Thoracic Surgeon. The Crown contended that the defendant’s conduct was deliberate and persistent, forming part of a continuing course of violence and evidencing an intention to cause at least really serious harm.
The defendant denied murder throughout, including in his evidence, asserting that the death was not the result of any unlawful assault and rejecting the allegation that he was a violent and abusive partner. The jury rejected that account and returned a unanimous verdict of guilty of murder.
