Nicholas Metson, 28, admitted to the horrific murder of his wife, Holly Bramley, whose dismembered body parts were found in the River Witham in March 2023. Metson confessed to stabbing his wife to death and then cutting her body into more than 200 pieces before dumping her remains. His friend, Joshua Hancock, assisted in disposing of the body. Metson is due to be sentenced on Monday at Lincoln Crown Court.
During the sentencing hearing, shocking revelations emerged about the heinous crime. Victim impact statements read in court detailed the coercive control and manipulation Bramley endured in her marriage. Metson’s previous convictions for offences against former partners in 2013, 2016, and 2017 were also brought to light, painting a chilling picture of his violent tendencies.
Lincolnshire Police were alerted to Bramley’s welfare concerns on March 24, 2023, leading to the discovery of bloodstained sheets, ammonia, bleach, and evidence of recent cleaning in the couple’s flat. CCTV footage and witness testimonies further implicated Metson in the murder and disposal of Bramley’s remains.
Prosecutor Gordon Aspden KC recounted the gruesome details of the crime, including Metson’s attempts to cover up his actions by withdrawing money from Bramley’s bank account and searching online for inquiries related to her death. Bramley’s grieving mother addressed Metson directly in court, condemning his actions and expressing the family’s unimaginable pain and grief.
The sentencing hearing sheds light on the brutal reality of domestic violence and coercive control, underscoring the urgent need for societal awareness and intervention to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
