A man has been sentenced to at least 21 years in prison for murdering his girlfriend while he was on bail with conditions not to contact her. Ryan Evans, 31, from Crawley, West Sussex, was found guilty of killing Holly Sanchez in May 2023 at a bungalow in the town. The sentence was handed down on Friday at Hove Crown Court.
Evans, who was convicted in July, had been in a coercive and abusive relationship with Sanchez. During their short time together, he subjected her to repeated acts of violence, financial control, and emotional abuse. Evans was also found guilty of unlawful wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour.
During sentencing, Judge Christine Henson KC addressed Evans, stating: “It’s clear over the short relationship that she had with you that you controlled her emotionally, financially, and you physically abused her.” Judge Henson recounted how Evans, believing Sanchez was involved with another man, admitted to a friend that he had “lost it” with her.
The court heard harrowing testimony from Sanchez’s mother, Kelly, who said: “The thought of what Holly went through at the hands of Ryan haunts me every day. I cannot understand how someone could hurt my baby girl so badly.
Evans was on bail at the time of the murder, having been arrested for prior incidents of domestic abuse against Sanchez. Despite bail conditions prohibiting contact with her, he continued his abusive behaviour. On one occasion, Sanchez had reported the abuse to the police but later withdrew the complaint under pressure from Evans.
Ms. Sanchez’s family expressed their grief and called for increased awareness of domestic violence. In a statement issued through Sussex Police, they said: “Holly was a daughter, granddaughter, aunt, sister, and most importantly a mother. She was taken from us by a cruel and evil monster. We hope Holly’s case raises awareness of how quickly domestic violence can have fatal consequences and that it encourages other victims to seek help.
Detectives involved in the case described Evans’ treatment of Sanchez as brutal and manipulative, with Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Lewis, Sussex Police’s lead for domestic abuse, reaffirming the force’s commitment to protecting victims and responding swiftly to domestic abuse offences.
The sentence, initially set at 23 years, was reduced to 21 years due to the time Evans spent on remand. He will remain on licence for life after serving his minimum term.
Family friend Toby Herrod, who was one of the last people to hear Sanchez’s voice, spoke emotionally outside the court, describing the loss as “very sad” and recalling fond memories of her.
