Leigh Pateman, 45, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-partner Ellen Marshall. Ellen suffered severe burns to 90 percent of her body after Pateman doused her in petrol and set her alight in a horrific attack in April 2021. Despite being given a 50 percent chance of survival, Ellen lived for two more years before tragically passing away in March 2023 due to her injuries. Pateman had previously been jailed for grievous bodily harm with intent following the initial attack but now faces a minimum term of 23 years and 145 days for Ellen’s murder.
During the attack, Ellen was sitting in an armchair at her home in Skegness when Pateman poured petrol over her and fled the scene on his bike, leaving her for dead. She was discovered by firefighters who heard gurgling noises coming from the flat. Ellen suffered horrific burns, lost fingers, hair, and underwent extensive surgery. Her eyes were damaged, and she required a ventilator to breathe. Judge Simon Hirst remarked on the cruelty of setting someone alight, stating that Ellen’s injuries were irreversible and she would never be able to return to her former life. Pateman’s face was also badly charred in the attack.
Women’s Aid offers advice for victims of domestic abuse, emphasizing the importance of keeping a phone nearby and reaching out to support services for help. In cases of danger, calling 999 is crucial, and victims can also use the Silent Solution to report abuse without speaking. It is advised to familiarize oneself with lower-risk areas in the house and avoid rooms where one might become trapped. SupportLine and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline are available for those in need of assistance. Ellen’s daughter paid tribute to her mother on social media, expressing love and saying goodbye without pain and suffering.
Pateman’s actions were condemned as cowardly and cruel, leading to his conviction for murder and a lengthy prison sentence. Ellen’s tragic death has highlighted the devastating impact of domestic violence and the urgent need for support services to help victims in similar situations. The brutality of the attack has shocked the community, and efforts to raise awareness of domestic abuse and provide resources for those in need continue to be crucial in preventing such tragedies from occurring in the future. Ellen’s memory lives on in the hearts of her loved ones, as they mourn her loss and strive for justice and support for victims of abuse.
