Leigh Pateman was initially sentenced to nearly 18 years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent after he poured petrol on his girlfriend, Ellen Marshall, and set her on fire in April 2021. Unfortunately, Ellen succumbed to her injuries in March the following year, prompting prosecutors to bring a murder case against Pateman. He pleaded guilty and received an additional five years in prison, bringing his total sentence to 23 years and four months before he can apply for parole. Paige Clarke, one of Ellen’s children, expressed how her mother suffered greatly and deserved better, never giving up hope of meeting her first grandchild.
After the attack, Ellen was left with severe burns covering 80% of her body, including her torso, face, and limbs. She also lost fingers and had limited movement until her death. Ellen’s appearance was drastically altered due to her injuries, with little hair left on her head and her facial features difficult to discern. Despite her suffering, she initially claimed to have caused the injuries to herself. Doctors at Nottingham City Hospital gave her only a 50% chance of survival, and the official cause of her eventual death was pneumonia resulting from the burns she sustained.
Leading up to the attack, witnesses heard Pateman threatening to set Ellen on fire and pour petrol over her, initially thinking it was a joke until the horrific incident occurred. Pateman purchased petrol and deliberately set Ellen ablaze, causing her extreme pain and suffering. The judge noted that Pateman had been an alcoholic for over 30 years, starting from a young age, and was a regular drug user. The statistics surrounding femicide highlight the prevalence of violence against women by their current or former partners, with one woman being killed by a partner/ex-partner each week on average. Femicide cases overwhelmingly involve male suspects, and women are at a significantly higher risk of being killed by a partner compared to other circumstances.
The tragic case of Ellen Marshall serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by women in abusive relationships, with the perpetrator’s violent actions leading to devastating consequences. Ellen’s family and loved ones were left to mourn her loss and grapple with the preventable nature of her death. The sentencing of Pateman for murder reflects the severity of his actions and the impact they had on Ellen’s life and well-being. The continued advocacy for the prevention of femicide and support for victims of domestic violence remains crucial in addressing the systemic issues that contribute to such tragedies. Ellen’s story serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of raising awareness and providing resources to protect and support vulnerable individuals in abusive situations.
