Dionne Clark, 27, was battered to death at a home in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, in June last year and suffered 69 injuries to her head and face
A couple have been found guilty of murdering a mum-of-four who suffered almost 70 head and facial injuries.
Paranoid schizophrenic Dominic Wallis, 28, and his ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Ellis, 20, battered 27-year-old Dionne Clark to death at a home in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, on June 17 last year.
They were found guilty yesterday after a two-and-a-half month trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Dominic Wallis’s parents, Karen Wallis and Kingsley Wallis were found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Miss Clark’s body was discovered on the evening of June 17 with 69 injuries to her head and face, including an injury to her brain.
She was beaten up and restrained using parcel tape, duct tape and the cable from a TV aerial.
Dominic Wallis and Ellis denied murder and blamed each other for the attack on Miss Clark at a home in Cornish Close, Nuneaton.
Judge Simon Drew QC adjourned sentencing of all four defendants until February 12, though he said there was a possibility it could further adjourned to allow for medical reports to be completed.
As the unanimous verdicts were read out by the forewoman of the jury, Ellis, of Skey Drive, Nuneaton, looked shocked and shook her head from behind the glass screen separating the courtroom from the dock.
Dominic Wallis, 28, and his ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Ellis, 20, were found guilty of murder after a two-and-a-half month trial at Birmingham Crown Court
Dominic Wallis, of Dryden Close, Nuneaton, remained emotionless.
The public gallery was packed, mainly with members of Miss Clark’s family, including her mother, who sobbed as the verdicts were read out.
During the trial the court had been told that Ellis and Wallis were ‘fighting tooth and nail to blame each other’ for the death, according to the Coventry Telegraph.
There was no mention of a motive in the coverage of the trial.
Following the verdicts, Miss Clark’s family cheered outside court before paying tribute to her.
In a statement they said: ‘Dionne was a beautiful daughter, a fantastic mother and a great sister.
‘She was sensitive, caring and compassionate and would think nothing of going out of her way to help others.
‘She touched so many people’s lives in a positive way.
‘Words cannot express what her loss means to all her family and friends – we remain heartbroken and totally devastated.’
‘We have no words to describe how these two people [Ellis and Dominic Wallis] have caused us to feel.
‘They took our Dionne in such a brutal way and that loss is unbearable.
Following the verdicts the family of Dionne Clark said she was ‘sensitive, caring and compassionate and would think nothing of going out of her way to help others’
‘They have denied her children the love and support of her mum and denied Dionne the chance to see her nieces and nephews grow.
‘Our hearts are broken at the thought that we will never see her again.
‘However, they can never take away the memories of our caring, kind, funny girl.
‘These memories will keep us strong through the dark times ahead.’
‘We would like to thank all those that have supported the family and helped bring the successful prosecution.
‘We now ask that the media respect our privacy going forward as we will be giving no further comment.’
Detective Chief Inspector Pete Hill, the senior investigating officer, said: ‘The circumstances surrounding how Dionne Clark was murdered were truly horrific – she was beaten repeatedly to her head, face and body.
‘After being arrested, Dominic Wallis and Elizabeth Ellis lied to police, trying to cover their tracks and separate themselves from any involvement, they have shown no remorse for their actions and denied their guilt throughout.
Karen and Kingsley Wallis, the parents of Dominic Wallis, were found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice
‘Through a combination of forensics and telecoms work and the diligent work of my investigation team, we were able to build a significant case against all defendants.
‘My thoughts are with Dionne’s family who have been present throughout the trial. They have shown such courage and dignity throughout all of the lengthy proceedings.
‘I hope the verdicts provide at least some comfort to them.’
Detective Sergeant Owen Fell, speaking outside court after the verdicts, added: ‘Dionne Clark was a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her. ‘Dominic Wallis and Elizabeth Ellis ended her life early in an attack that left her with 69 separate injuries.
‘This verdict shows that both Dominic Wallis and Elizabeth Ellis were responsible and they will now face the consequences of their actions.
‘I’d like to pay tribute to Dionne’s family, they’ve shown dignity and poise throughout both the investigation and the trial, and I’m sure Dionne’s death will leave a huge hole in their lives.
‘I’d also like to pay tribute to the officers and staff who have worked on this investigation from the start. This verdict is a testament to their hard work.’