A grieving mother whose daughter took her own life to escape her abusive ex-boyfriend has called for changes to the education system and stricter laws against domestic violence.
Sharon Holland’s calls come after it emerged jailed Marc Masterton, 26, had also terrorized another of his ex-girlfriends.
Holland, 51, told how her daughter Chloe, 23, took her own life after suffering a year of torment at the hands of her ex-partner Masterton.
He now wants a separate charge of manslaughter by coercive control for offenders whose victims commit suicide as a result of domestic abuse.
He also believes that lessons on coercive and controlling behavior should be taught in schools so that “all children” can recognize the dangers.
Masterton had already been serving a 45-month prison sentence for abusing Chloe, but last week he was jailed for a further 43 months for assaulting Zoe Castle.
Zoe, 24, was in a relationship with Masterton before Chloe, but it was only after Chloe’s death in March last year that she felt the strength to report him to the police.
Chloe Holland (pictured) took her own life after suffering a year of torment at the hands of her ex-partner Marc Masterton
Sharon Holland (left) pictured with her daughter Chloe on her 18th birthday
Marc Masterton (pictured) had already been serving a 45-month prison sentence for abusing Chloe, but on Thursday he was sentenced to a further 43 months for assaulting Zoe Castle.
Portsmouth Crown Court heard that Zoe, who was just 18 when she was with Masterton, was subjected to a series of “despicable” physical and psychological assaults similar to those of Chloe.
Miss Holland, from Portsmouth, has launched a campaign called ‘Her name was Chloe Holland’ in memory of her daughter.
Commenting on the latest sentence, he said: “I am very happy that he has more time.”
“I’m even happier that it’s running consecutively and not at the same time because that was a big concern.”
“It’s obviously still not enough time; it never will be enough time for what he did to Zoe and my daughter.
‘I’m glad Zoe got justice, but for what she did, it’s not enough. He killed my daughter, not physically, but mentally, what he put her through should be murder.
“I’m glad Zoe is still here, but the trauma will take a long time for her to get over.
“I am very grateful to him for coming forward as it helps the campaign.”
Zoe Castle, 24, was in a relationship with Masterton before Chloe, but after Chloe’s death in March last year, she mustered up the courage to report him to the police; she is pictured outside Portsmouth Crown Court.
Masterton monitored Chloe’s appearance, put a tracking device on her phone, isolated her from her friends and family and encouraged her to commit suicide.
On one occasion, Masterton attacked Chloe with a dumbbell before handing her a knife and ordering her to harm herself.
Masterton subjected Zoe to similar abuse and also strangled her, trapped her in freezing baths and forced her to have his name tattooed.
Miss Holland said her campaign group now plans to write an open letter to the government calling for it to use the Criminal Justice Bill to toughen punishments.
Under current UK law, the most serious perpetrators of coercive control can be sentenced to up to five years in prison.
By comparison, Queensland in Australia recently passed laws to criminalize coercive control and impose a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
Reflecting on the difference between the two systems, Miss Holland said: “I think it’s disgusting; I think it’s a pathetic sentence because of the psychological damage it causes.”
Miss Holland pointed out that because Masterton’s 45-month sentence after abusing her daughter included four months for aggravated vehicle theft, his sentence for coercive behavior towards Chloe only amounted to 41 months.
Sharon Holland (pictured) has called for information about coercive and controlling behavior to be taught in schools so that “all children” can recognize it.
“If you look at it, he had more time for Zoe than he did for my daughter, and she died,” he said.
‘He still didn’t get the maximum. He will move on because I don’t think he can reform.”
Miss Holland said she had met Victims and Protection Minister Laura Farris and urged her to make changes to the legislation.
“I told her it will be your responsibility if anything happens to another girl,” he continued.
‘He will kill someone, I’m convinced of it. He has already done it, he has done it with my daughter.
Miss Holland said she was concerned that existing laws were not doing enough to protect vulnerable women and men trapped in abusive relationships.
When asked if he cared about women across the country, he responded, “A lot.”
‘I can’t help the survivors, it has already happened; Now my mission is to prevent it from happening to other people.
‘I want it to be taught in schools. I want all children to know what coercive and controlling behavior means.
“I want everyone to do their job, sing with the same anthem and do everything possible to prevent it.”
Of her continued grieving for her daughter, she said: “The pain is still just as intense, it doesn’t go away, it will never go away.”
“Out of this anguish over losing my daughter, something positive has to come out of this: maybe implement ‘Chloe’s Law’ so that no one forgets what happened.”
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support.