Leigh Pateman admits murder of Ellen Marshall who died two years after he set her on fire

A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of a woman who died two years after he set her on fire.

Leigh Pateman, 45, caused "significant burns" to Ellen Marshall, who was 42 at the time, after he poured petrol over her and set the fuel alight during an argument in April 2021.

He previously admitted grievous bodily harm with intent and was jailed for 17 years and 10 months in March 2022 following the attack in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

Ms Marshall suffered between 80% and 90% burns to the top half of her body in the attack and spent the rest of her life in hospitals and care homes.

She died of her injuries in March 2023 and Pateman was charged with murder.

He pleaded guilty at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday and will be sentenced on 2 December.

Judge Simon Hirst told the defendant, who appeared in court via videolink from HMP Garth: "You know the sentence I'm required to pass upon you will be a life sentence.

"What I must determine, and will be assisted by counsel, is the minimum term you are required to serve."

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Lincolnshire Police said the murder charge was authorised following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

The case has similarities to that of Steven Craig, who was convicted of murder in 2022 over the death of a woman who died 21 years after he set her on fire with petrol in 1998.

He was sentenced to a further 15 years in prison – in addition to the 18 he had already served for the attack – after his victim, Jacqueline Kirk, died following medical complications in 2019.

Detective Inspector Andy McWatt said: "This was a truly shocking and barbaric attack. I cannot begin to imagine how much fear she must have felt, and how painful the rest of Ellen's life was.

"Her family had to watch someone they love suffer from terrible injuries for almost two years. I hope that they can feel some measure of closure that her killer will now be sentenced for that crime."

(c) Sky News 2024: Leigh Pateman admits murder of Ellen Marshall who died two years after he set her on fire