Overview
- Cole, 39, was found guilty on March 20, 2026 of murder and three counts of grievous bodily harm with intent.
- Holland, 39, was discovered unresponsive at the bottom of the stairs in Burton-on-Trent on October 20, 2022 after Cole claimed she had fallen.
- A post-mortem found more than 40 broken ribs, at least 30 inflicted weeks or months earlier, along with serious chest and abdominal injuries.
- Jurors saw photographs taken by Cole at 4:49pm showing Holland unconscious, before he called 999 at 6:23pm and she was later pronounced dead.
- Prosecutors pursued the murder and section 18 charges despite Cole’s earlier pleas to lesser offences, presenting evidence of coercive control that included financial exploitation.