‘Evil’ boyfriend, 26, whose girlfriend hanged herself after he ordered her to self harm, isolated her from family, and tracked her phone during ‘appalling’ campaign of domestic abuse, is jailed for nearly four years

• Chloe Holland took her own life in February this year and died in hospital

A ‘pure evil’ boyfriend has been jailed after he ordered his girlfriend to self-harm and isolated her in such a shockingly cruel campaign of domestic abuse it ‘absolutely destroyed her life’ and she hanged herself.

Marc Masterton’s ‘despicable’ psychological and physical assaults ‘significantly contributed’ to the ‘demise’ of Chloe Holland’s mental health before she killed herself, a court heard.

Controlling Masterton, 26, regularly beat Miss Holland, told her to take her own life, handed her a knife and ordered her to self-harm, isolated her from friends and family, and belittled her.

Masterton deliberately gave Miss Holland, 23, black eyes so she would not be able to see her baby son.

Police investigators today said the domestic abuse is ‘one of the most appalling and heartbreaking cases they have ever come across’.

Masterton has now been jailed for three years and nine months following his ‘utterly unforgivable’ campaign of abuse between January 2022 and February of this year.

Miss Holland hanged herself on February 1 this year and died in hospital. 

A fundraising page for Chloe Holland described her as a ‘much loved Mummy, Daughter, Sister, Aunty and a loving friend to so many’

Marc Masterton has now been jailed for three years and nine months following his ‘utterly unforgivable’ campaign of abuse

Just two days earlier, on January 30, Masterton ordered her to steal a car with him and use a stolen bank card.

The court heard Masterton regularly abused Miss Holland at his home in Southsea, Portsmouth, as well as at hotels and on public transport across Hampshire.

Masterton beat her with a gym dumbbell, then handed her a knife and told her to harm herself after she threatened to kill herself.

Masterton controlled what clothes Miss Holland wore, kept her away from her friends and family, and tracked her phone so that when she escaped the relationship he was able to ‘suck her back in to his cycle of abuse’.

At a Travelodge, Masterton beat his victim while shouting ‘say goodbye to your son’.

On January 30 this year, Masterton had Miss Holland accompany him to steal a car, then crashed it, then ordered her to use the stolen bank card found inside it so he was not caught on CCTV.

Miss Holland followed his command ‘due to fear of extreme violence if she did not comply’.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard ‘the physical and psychological impact of the abuse significantly contributed to the demise of her mental health’.

Miss Holland’s family say they will be ‘scarred forever’ following the death of the young mother.

Hampshire Constabulary said evidence from Miss Holland was used posthumously to help convict Masterton, who admitted coercive and controlling behaviour and aggravated vehicle taking.

Police Staff Investigator Nikki Brogan said: ‘This is one of the most appalling and heartbreaking cases of domestic abuse I have ever come across.

‘The violence, control, and psychological abuse suffered by this poor young woman absolutely destroyed her life. She felt there was no escape from her abuser.

‘Her family said that during the times she was away from Masterton she seemed positive, but when he drew her back into his web of abuse she simply disappeared – becoming withdrawn and unable to eat.

‘This man is pure evil. What he did was utterly unforgivable, and the judge remarked that he is clearly a danger to women before sending him to prison.

‘Sadly, the victim in this case was unable to see justice served, but I want it to be known that she was so brave, and it was because of her evidence, her strength, her courage that this despicable man is now behind bars.’

Detective Chief Inspector Nikki Burton added: ‘The evidence gathered over the course of this investigation is harrowing and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim in this case.

‘Domestic abusers perpetrate some of the worst offending imaginable, leaving lifelong physical and emotional scars on those affected.

‘I commend the bravery of the woman in this case who reported the abuse to police.

‘Her evidence was used posthumously as she had sadly died before this case reached the courts, but the power of her words and her evidence has helped protect other women by ensuring a domestic abuser has been jailed.’

A fundraiser made in Miss Holland’s memory has raised more than £4,500. All funds given ‘will be utilised to give our Chloe the most beautiful send off to her next journey,’ the page says. 

The page says: ‘Chloe was a much loved Mummy, Daughter, Sister, Aunty and a loving friend to so many.

‘At such a young age of 23, Chloe’s death has been a huge shock to everyone.

‘So many people feel so much pain for the loss of such a fun, outgoing, bubbly, outspoken, beautiful young lady.

‘If you were fortunate enough to have been in Chloe’s company, ever, you’d understand the immediate positive impact she had on those around her. There was never a dull moment or a moment of silence in Chloe’s presence.

‘Unfortunately, Chloe took her own life due to domestic violence.

‘The pain this has caused her family and friends is immense however it is important that people know the truth and the seriousness and damage that domestic violence causes.’

Contact Samaritans for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected] or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

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