Man Sentenced to Life for Murdering Partner with Fire Attack
Leigh Pateman, 45, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his partner, Ellen Marshall, who succumbed to severe burns two years after he poured petrol on her and set her on fire during a domestic argument. Pateman had previously been sentenced to 17 years and 10 months for grievous bodily harm but admitted to the murder following Marshall's death on March 11, 2023. The tragic incident occurred on April 22, 2021, at their home in Skegness, where Pateman ignited petrol that he had poured into Ms. Marshall's lap. During the court proceedings at Lincoln Crown Court, Judge Simon Hirst imposed a minimum term of 23 years and 145 days on Pateman. Prosecutor Sarah Knight detailed the horrific aftermath of the attack, describing how emergency services found Ms. Marshall with 80% of her body suffering from full-thickness burns. She underwent multiple skin grafts but ultimately died from pneumonia related to her injuries. Knight noted that Ms. Marshall's appearance was "radically altered," and she lost fingers and mobility due to the extensive damage. Pateman, appearing via video link from HMP Garth, claimed he was "messing about" when he flicked his lighter to "scare" her before the fire broke out. However, a witness testified that Pateman had made threats to set Ms. Marshall alight days prior to the incident, which were dismissed as a joke at the time. In a victim impact statement read in court, Ms. Marshall’s daughter, Paige Clarke, expressed her sorrow over her mother's suffering and the loss of her independence. She reflected on the emotional toll the incident took on their family, stating, “My mum deserved better.” Defense attorney Katherine Goddard KC highlighted Pateman's remorse for his actions, emphasizing that he had come to terms with the gravity of his crime. Judge Hirst condemned Pateman's actions, stating, “This is not a sudden outburst of temper in an otherwise healthy relationship.” He emphasized the necessity of a life sentence for such a heinous crime. Detective Inspector Andy McWatt of Lincolnshire Police described the attack as “truly shocking and barbaric,” expressing hope that the sentence would provide some measure of closure for Ms. Marshall's family, who witnessed her prolonged suffering due to the injuries inflicted by Pateman.
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