A controlling and violent man who falsely claimed his partner had fallen down the stairs to conceal his role in her death has been convicted of her murder.

Dale Cole, 39 of Grange Street, Burton-on-Trent, was convicted today (20 March 2026) of the murder of 39-year-old Lisa Holland following a trial at Stafford Crown Court.

Ms Holland was found unresponsive at the bottom of the stairs at her home in Burton-on-Trent on 20 October 2022, after Cole called 999 and claimed she had fallen. West Midlands Ambulance Service attended and despite the efforts of the crew, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A postmortem examination revealed she had been subjected to violent and sustained blunt force assaults on more than one occasion. Forensic tests found more than 40 broken ribs including both old and new fractures, together with serious internal chest injuries. At least 30 of those rib fractures had been inflicted in the weeks and months before her death. She had also sustained significant and potentially life-threatening injuries to her abdomen in the weeks before her death.

Cole denied killing Ms Holland but pleaded guilty on the first day of trial to manslaughter, controlling or coercive behaviour towards Ms Holland between 29 October 2018 and 20 October 2022 and to one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm between September and October 2022.

The Crown Prosecution Service pursued the murder charge, together with three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, to ensure the full pattern of Cole’s offences was placed before the jury. Today, the jury has convicted him of all counts.

Lorraine Anson from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Dale Cole subjected Lisa Holland to sustained and horrific abuse over several years. He was violent and controlling throughout their relationship, and his callous conduct resulted in her death.

“The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with Staffordshire Police over several months to build a strong case and ensure the true extent of his abuse over many years were placed before the jury.

“Our thoughts remain with Lisa’s family and loved ones following the conclusion of these proceedings.”