Man murdered girlfriend by dousing her in petrol and setting her on fire

A man who doused his girlfriend in petrol before setting her on fire has pleaded guilty to her murder.

Ellen Marshall was sat in a chair when Leigh Pateman poured petrol over her and set it alight during an argument on Firbeck Avenue, Skegness, in April 2021.

Firefighters found her lying on the floor, still conscious, with 80% burns across the top half of her body.

Even after 12 hours of surgery, Ms Marshall was given a 50% chance of survival.

She died two years later at the age of 43 in Nottingham City Hospital, having spent the rest of her life in hospitals and care homes.

Mr Pateman had fled the scene on his bike, eventually being found at his mother’s house, where he had gone to bed covered in soot.

He pleaded guilty to Ms Marshall’s murder when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court via video link from HMP Garth on Friday.

The 45-year-old was previously jailed in March 2022 for 17 years and 10 months after he admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was subsequently charged with Ms Marshall’s murder after she died on March 11, 2023.

Adjourning sentencing until December 2, Judge Simon Hirst said: ‘You know the only sentence I can pass upon you is one of life imprisonment.

‘What I need to decide is the minimum term you will have to serve before you can appear before a parole board.’

Detective Inspector Andy McWatt said: ‘This was a truly shocking and barbaric attack. I cannot begin to imagine how much fear she must have felt, and how painful the rest of Ellen’s life was.

‘Her family had to watch someone they love suffer from terrible injuries for almost two years.

‘I hope that they can feel some measure of closure that her killer will now be sentenced for that crime.’

MORE : Boy dies nine years after dad left him unable to walk or talk

MORE : Mom ‘killed son with kettlebell and told his dad their boy was no more’

MORE : Another woman plunges into Niagara Falls river after a mum and two kids jumped in