‘We miss Holly so much our hearts are broken’
THE FAMILY of Holly Bramley, who was murdered by her husband, have paid tribute to a “vibrant, happy and affectionate daughter, sister and aunt”.
Holly’s sister, Sarah-Jane Lindop gave a statement outside court following the sentencing which she described as a “milestone in the process of our grief and healing”.
The full statement from Holly’s family reads: “Today is a mixture of emotions for us as we see that justice has finally been served after losing our vibrant, happy and affectionate daughter, sister and aunt in such a barbaric and heinous way 12 months ago.
“The loss of Holly is still raw as we’ve come to learn more and more of what happened to her before and after her tragic death. Today is by no means closure but it is a milestone in the process of our grief and healing.
“Our dear sweet Holly was a beautiful, caring, innocent soul who had a kindness and warmth that affected everyone she met. She loved to sing, dance, had a passion for animals and was rarely seen without a smile on her face. Her vibrant spirit and infectious laughter filled our lives with joy, she was truly special.
“She adored her younger brothers, nieces and nephews and wanted nothing more than to become a mother herself one day. She has so many family and friends who love her who are now left feeling truly devastated that she is no longer here to live the long and happy life she deserved.
“Sadly, meeting the man who cruelly took her life was just the beginning of a rocky road for Holly as she embarked on a life of domestic abuse and, despite our trying, as a family we never managed to save her from that. We, as a family, are asking and encouraging anyone living with domestic abuse to seek support and tell someone.
“There are services out there who can help victims find the happiness and freedom they deserve. The Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service, LDASS, is one who provides nonjudgmental support to anyone who reaches out.
“We miss Holly so much our hearts are broken. But, if anything, we need her death to highlight that domestic abuse is not OK. Let’s make Domestic Abuse everyone’s business. For Holly’s sake. Thank you.”
The officer in charge of the case, DCI Jennifer Lovatt of Lincolnshire Police, also read out a statement. She said: “Today Nicholas Metson has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff to serve 19 years and 316 days for the murder of his wife Holly Bramley and also for perverting the course of justice.
“Metson’s behaviour was barbaric. Not only did he murder his wife but he also sought to dispose of her body in such a way that she could not be laid to rest. He tried to cover his tracks by telling friends of Holly that she had harmed herself and had then been taken away by a local mental health team and had run away to Manchester to be with friends.
“He also tried to maintain that he was a victim of domestic abuse. When confronted by Lincolnshire Police, Metson continued his web of lies. But after initial inquiries were conducted and his accounts began to unravel, he was arrested for murder.”
She added: “Holly was only ly 26 years old when she died. She believed that she was in n a safe and loving relationship ip when she married Metson in n 2021. However he betrayed that belief. He took her future and life away from her er in a callous way.
“Nothing we can do can bring Holly back but we hope e that the sentence can start to bring some form of closure re for her family, who have suffered a great seal of shock ck and pain. The sentence follows a lengthy investigation and I would like e to personally thank everybody who helped to bring Metson and Hancock to justice.
“I would also like to thanks s Holly’s family, who have carried themselves with dignity and grace throughout ut their ordeal, for their cooperation and support.”