Every third day, in our #EveryThreeDays campaign, I write about a woman killed by a man. Previously this month, we have remembered Miriam Nyazema, Denisa Silmen, Jan Bennett, and just three days ago, nurse Simonne Kerr, who loved to sing and give joy.
Today we remember the mother of two, 36-year-old Laura Holden, who lived in Monmouth Road, Bartley Green, Birmingham. Ex-partner Desmond Thomas murdered her in August 2015.
Laura had a long but highly volatile relationship with Thomas spreading over 19 years, but as the relationship fizzled out, Laura found a new love in Turkey.
Thomas became jealous and started to beat Laura, culminating in a frenzied attack in Laura’s home in front of their nine-year-old son, who heard his parents arguing and then saw them go into the bathroom, where his father bolted the door. Their Thomas took Laura’s life. Within hours Thomas was charged with Laura’s murder and, in May 2016, faced justice at Birmingham Crown Court with Mr. Robert Price, prosecuting who said:
“There is ample evidence to suggest that their relationship was a volatile one with Thomas using violence towards Miss Thomas,
“She developed a friendship with a local man and spent some time with him, Thomas became suspicious and a large number of phone calls and texts were exchanged between them. It appears Laura had resolved to leave Thomas and start a fresh life in Turkey”.
A pathologist giving evidence concluded that Laura had been rendered unconscious by being bludgeoned over the head with a glass jar and set of scales before being placed in the bath by Thomas, where she drowned.
The judge said on sentencing that Thomas would serve a minimum of 15 years, adding:
“Both of these young children will have to live without the support of their parents, perhaps indefinitely. Laura was a much-loved lady who was an integral part of a very close family. You killed her because you were overcome by jealousy that you were either unwilling or unable to control. It was a vicious attack involving more than one weapon.
Laura Holden
#EveryThreeDays
Authored by Steph @PlaceSteph
