Ryan Evans who brutalised and killed Holly Sanchez jailed for 23 years

Holly Sanchez, 32, described as a lonely mother-of-five, was brutalised by Ryan Evans who slept as she lay dying next to him on a filthy living room floor.

In the final days of her life, Holly had been punched, kicked, burnt, throttled and smothered by him.

Evans showed no emotion as a judge told him the sentence reflected the cruelty he had shown towards Holly in the final days of her life.

Her Honour Judge Christine Henson KC told Evans his actions had left an irreplaceable void.

“You have a proven history of violence in a domestic context," she said.

“You controlled her emotionally, financially and you physically abused her.

Read more: Sussex Police told to improve in wake of Holly Sanchez murder

“It was evident how frightened she was of you and how she feared for her life if she spoke out against you."

Ryan Evans (Image: Sussex Police)

Evans attacked Holly in the hours before she died even though she was already badly beaten from an earlier assault by him.

Holly’s body was found in a property in Oates Walk, Crawley, on the morning of May 13, 2023, following a 999 call from Evans, in which he claimed she had been alive when he went to sleep and woke to find her unresponsive.

Holly’s family sobbed as her mother read a statement to the court.

Kelly Taylor told Hove Crown Court her daughter was her little princess.

“She was a good mum despite being a child herself," she said.

“Holly worked as a community carer.

“She had her ups and downs and sometimes alcohol would take control of her life.

“At the time of her death, Holly had hit rock bottom.

“When she met Ryan, her drinking spiralled.

“I have no doubts, if he had not appeared in her life she would have kept her home, got sober and got her children back.

“She was little but feisty.

“She would always stand her ground.

“Ryan beat this out of her.

“I cannot understand how anybody would hurt my baby girl so badly.

“He has shown no remorse for what he did.

“We have had to sit through four weeks in court to piece together her last moments.

“We will never be able to unhear those terrifying screams.

“We hope Ryan will never be able to hurt anybody ever again."

Throughout his sentencing hearing, Evans stared straight ahead, showing no emotion.

The court heard the 31-year-old has 48 previous convictions for 73 offences including violent attacks on former partners.

Holly Sanchez feared for her life and begged police not to let Evans know she had spoken to them.

Evans from Crawley, was arrested and released on police bail less than a month before Holly was found dead with 59 different external injuries.

He dialled 999 after finding her cold body on the floor next to him on May 13 last year.

Holly was so controlled by Evans she initially tried to protect him from police.

She told a friend: “Ryan can be nice sometimes and he loves me.”

She denied several times he had assaulted her and even tried to physically stop police arresting him.

Neighbours called police several times before Holly was found dead.

They heard abusive threats and saw Evans punch her in the face, the court heard.

Her brother and father saw the candle wax on her arm and bruising to her face.

Holly was unable to get up or speak for two days before her death.

Expert evidence showed she had suffered brain injuries similar to people who had been in a car accident at least two days before she died and had developed pneumonia.

A jury found Evans guilty of murder after hearing he was a volatile and controlling man capable of explosions of extreme violence.

Ryan Richter for the Crown told the jury in Brighton the vulnerable young mum was desperate for affection and companionship after her husband Carlos Sanchez was jailed and her five children taken into care.

Evans was sentenced to 23 years, less time served on remand.

He will spend the next 21 years and 244 days in prison before he is eligible to apply for parole.