Harlow: Man Guilty Of Copshall Close Murder
11 June 2013, 15:10 | Updated: 12 June 2013, 16:29
A man has been found guilty of murdering his partner in Harlow, just hours after she told him she wanted to end their relationship.
46-year-old Mark Golds stabbed Claire Parrish in a house on Copshall Close shortly after 9.30pom on Sunday, 15 July 2012.
Ms Parrish had told Golds she wanted to end their relationship because of the violent way he "controlled" her.
The 37 year-old was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow but died a short time later. A post-mortem examination showed she died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen.
Golds was arrested and then charged with murder. When he stood trial at Chelmsford Crown Court on 28 May, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, However, today (Tuesday, 11 June) he was found guilty of murder and will be sentenced tomorrow afternoon.
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Stuart Hooper, said: "Mark Golds is a controlling individual who verbally and physically abused Claire, controlling her over a long period of time until she could take no more.
"As a manipulative individual, he could not face up to the misery he had caused her over the years despite her being a loving partner and mother.
"She had never once contacted the police to report his violent behaviour and so, sadly, we never knew of her tormented life and so could not have stopped her suffering.
"We only hope that those people, men or women, who are entwined in cruel and unhappy relationships with their partners have the courage to contact us and allow us to help them get out of such terrible times.
"If there is something to be learned from this case, then it is that the police service is there to help people who feel trapped in such violent domestic partnerships.
"In their bedroom that summer's evening, Mark Golds turned on Claire in a ferocious and sustained attack which you would not want to imagine. He has shown no remorse ever since. On behalf of all those involved in the investigation, I would like to pay tribute to Claire's family.
"Despite their trauma and the ordeal of the trial, they have conducted themselves with great integrity and dignity throughout.
"This approach has been in stark contrast to the behaviour of Mark Golds who has failed to accept responsibility for his actions, shown no remorse and sought at every opportunity to lie his way out of this case.
"It is my hope that this conviction will bring some comfort to Claire's family and friends. I would also pay tribute to my investigation team and the Crown Prosecution Service for their professionalism and determination during this time.
"Officers from the Kent & Essex Serious Crime Directorate worked tirelessly to obtain this conviction supported by family liaison officers who offered practical and emotional support to Claire's relatives and friends."
In a statement, Claire's family said: "Claire was a wonderful young woman. She was the best daughter you could hope for; an amazing mum and nanny who doted on her grandson.
"Mark Golds has not only taken a daughter, he has taken a loving sister, aunt, mum and nanny. Claire should have had so many years to watch her young family grow up, but they were brutally taken from her; leaving a family shattered and one which will never recover.
"The adults realise that Claire will never be coming back, but her two elder children constantly have panic attacks, are stressed and feel very alone while her two younger children are constantly distressed and ask when their mummy is coming home from hospital.
"Claire's children will never be the same while her grandson, Reece, doesn't understand why he won't see his nanny again.
"These 10 months have been sheer hell. This monster has not only murdered Claire, but he has destroyed her family. One evil act, so many ruined lives."