Lincolnshire mum calls for ‘Holly’s Law’ after daughter’s murder
Annette Bramley says animal cruelty is a key warning sign for domestic abuse
The mum of a young woman murdered in Lincoln is calling for a national register of animal abusers - warning it could help prevent future deaths.
Annette Bramley, from Holbeach, has launched a campaign for Holly’s Law following the death of her daughter Holly, who was killed by her partner in 2023.
“In studies of domestic abuse cases, many include threats or harm to pets,” she said, adding that animals are often used as a way to control victims.
“This is something Holly’s perpetrator did right from a very, very young age."
“Although it was known that he had killed animals, he’d always got away with it on a technicality.”
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 in February 2024.
The case was one of the most horrifically that Lincolnshire has ever seen.
An online petition for Holly’s Law has already gained more than 50,000 signatures.
Annette wants the law to work similarly to Clare’s Law, allowing people to check whether a partner has a history of animal cruelty before becoming involved.
She believes if Holly had been made aware of Metson's past animal abuse, she may have felt differently about the relationship.
“Holly was a big animal lover, and it would have been a really big red flag to her.”
For information on help and support for domestic abuse, visit the Lincolnshire Police Website.