Mark Donovan hands himself at a police station in east London (Image: Essex Police)
A 40-year-old man confessed to killing his estranged wife after walking into a police station in east London while eating a Chinese takeaway.
Mark Donovan left Elise Mason’s battered body in his house, visiting a local pub and two massage parlours, before giving himself up to police two hours later.
Walking into the police station in Ilford, east London, while eating a Chinese takeaway, Donovan told officers that he had done “the worst thing”.
Donovan denied he had murdered Ms Mason, claiming he had acted in self-defence when she emotionally abused him and threatened him with a knife on April 25, 2023.
Mark Donavan’s police photograph (Image: Essex Police)
The “grim” discovery of Ms Mason’s body was later made by officers on Rothmans Avenue, Great Baddow near Chelmsford, Essex.
Her heavily bloodstained body was found lying on the floor under a blanket, near the front door of Donovan’s home which the pair used to share.
The 37-year-old had more than 70 injuries to her face, head, neck, upper body, arms and legs, and blood spots were found on the walls and furniture.
In less than four hours, jurors at Chelmsford Crown Court found Donovan guilty of murder, despite his defence’s claims that he was suffering with a personality disorder and that he was guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Officers found a love letter from Ms Mason’s new partner, leading them to believe that the killing had taken place out of jealously on Donovan’s part.
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Mum-of-two Elise Mason was killed in her own home (Image: EssexLive / BPM)
The judge thanked jurors, saying: “There is only one sentence that can be passed, and that is a life sentence. But I have to consider various factors in setting a minimum term before he can be considered for a release on licence.”
Lucy Broughton of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “This was an utterly abhorrent attack, committed by a man who simply could not accept his relationship with Ms Mason was over.
“His nonchalant attitude after committing such a savage murder is indicative of someone who has no remorse ending the life of a woman who had every right to end her association with him.
“Clearly his actions were not of a man defending himself, they were instead those of a violent and dangerous man determined to inflict serious harm.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Ms Mason, and we hope they are able to find some level of comfort from this conviction.”
Donovan will be sentenced on 5 March 2025.