Holly Bramley: Family launch campaign #ForHolly
The 26 year old's family have teamed up with Lincolnshire services to encourage other women experiencing domestic abuse to speak out
Last updated 1st Oct 2024
Holly Bramley was 26 years old, and living in Lincoln, when her life was ended at the hands of her husband. It was one of the most horrifically violent cases that Lincolnshire has seen.
Holly’s family describe her as “a beautiful, caring, innocent soul who had a kindness and warmth that affected everyone she met; a vibrant, happy and affectionate daughter, sister and aunt.”
Her mother Annette, spoke with our reporter about what she was like:
"She was happy, bubbly, caring, loving, a real family girl. Just a real treasure. She brings a smile to my face every time I think or hear her name, because she was always smiling... but she is now, not here. So this is our way of keeping her memory alive and keeping her as a person and not a victim."
"Her life was cut short, and that's not fair, it's not fair."
Annette continued to say how she hopes this campaign will make a difference:
“It was a real privilege to be Holly’s mum, I only wish we had been able to do more to save her. I really do hope this campaign will make a difference to someone suffering in the same way.
“The biggest hurdle is getting that person to listen, to realise that they are not in a safe relationship; for them to believe what their worried family and friends can see, that they can't. That's the thing we need to get across because Holly couldn't see what a controlling, coercive fiend he was. But we could.”
It's a campaign including Lincolnshire Police and the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service.
Detective Chief Inspector Rachael Cox, the lead for Domestic Abuse at Lincolnshire Police said:
She is an inspiration and a reminder of why we do this job
“We are indebted to Annette. Despite her grief she is determined to work with us to help us reach those experiencing domestic abuse.
"She is an inspiration and a reminder of why we do this job. We are here to protect people and will continue to do all we can to raise awareness of what abuse is and to make sure everyone knows how they can get help even if they don’t feel they can approach the police to report yet.”
Over the coming weeks, the “For Holly” campaign will highlight what Holly endured.
Her experience only ended when her life was taken but this is the most brutal and devastating of outcomes. There are countless people who are enduring domestic abuse now, who live with it, day in, day out.
Holly's family want to reach those people, improve understanding of what domestic abuse is, and raise awareness of what you can do if you are suffering at the hands of an abuser.
If you need help or support, you can find out more here on the Police website.
Clare's Law
“Her vibrant spirit and infectious laughter filled our lives with joy, she was truly special.” These are the words of Holly Bramley's mum, Annette.
The man who took Holly’s life, her abuser, is serving a minimum term of 20 years for her murder. But this post is not about him and we will not have his name appear alongside hers. This is about Holly.
There is no justice for a family broken by grief. Yet out of this suffering, Annette, working alongside Lincolnshire Police and the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service (LDASS), wants to raise awareness of the help and support for those experiencing domestic abuse.
Clare’s Law enables the police to give information about a partner, or ex-partner’s, previous history of abusive or violent offending. Information is only given to the person at risk, but anyone can ask. If you are a worried that a relative or friend could be at risk of domestic abuse, you can make a Clare’s Law application on their behalf.
This is also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.
How it works: you can ask the police for yourself, or someone you are concerned for, if they hold information that may indicate a risk of domestic abuse.
Annette urged, “Let's make domestic abuse everyone's business. For Holly's sake.”
You can make an application under Clare’s Law here: https://www.lincs.police.uk/rqo/request/ri/request-information/cl/triage/v2/request-information-under-clares-law/
Lincolnshire Police say that 1592 applications were submitted between March 2023 to March 2024. Of those, just over 900 disclosures were made - a disclosure rate of 62%.
Nicholas Metson initially denied killing Holly Bramley (latterly Metson) after her body was discovered in Bassingham in early 2023.
But the 28-year-old of Shuttleworth House in Lincoln, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before court officials on Friday, 23 February 2024.
Metson’s behaviour was barbaric
He was sentenced on April 8th at Lincoln Crown Court, where he was handed a minimum term of 19 years and 316 days.
Metson's friend Joshua Hancock, who's 29 and of Walnut Close in Waddington, pleaded guilty to disposal of a body with the intention to obstruct or prevent at coroner’s inquest at the same hearing.
He was also sentenced to three years and three months in prison for that offence and other offences.
During the court hearing we were present, with our reporter following the case since police revealed a woman's body had been found.
Speaking outside of court following the sentence, DCI Jennifer Lovatt, who was in charge of the investigation, said:
“Metson’s behaviour was barbaric, and not only did he murder his wife, we now believe 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 that Holly had harmed herself, had been taken away by a local mental health team and had then run away to be with a group of people in Manchester.
She believed that she was in a safe and loving relationship when she married Metson in 2021 but he betrayed that belief
“Metson then paid his friend Hancock to assist him in the disposal of his wife’s body.
“Holly was only 26 years old when she died.
"She believed that she was in a safe and loving relationship when she married Metson in 2021 but he betrayed that belief and took her future and life away from her in a callous way."
“This sentence follows a lengthy investigation, and I would like to personally thank everyone who helped to bring Nicholas Metson and Joshua Hancock to justice."
Police say no officer or member of staff will forget any role they played in the aftermath of the incident, or the investigation that followed.
Holy's family also spoke outside court that day, where they detailed how she adored her younger brothers, nieces and nephews and wanted nothing more than to become a mother herself one day.
"To have children of her own to dote on and shower with love. 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.
We miss Holly so much our hearts are broken
"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 non-judgmental 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 okay."
"If she had recognised that this was what she was being subjected to, we may have her home with us now."
For information on help and support for domestic abuse, visit the Lincolnshire Police Website.