By Lucy Caulkett-
Bristol- A pub chef, Darren Osment, (pictured)has been found guilty of murdering his ex-partner, Claire Holland, in a drunken argument in June 2012.
The tragic incident unfolded just hours after Holland was last seen leaving a pub in Bristol. Despite extensive investigations, the mother of four remains missing, her body never recovered.
Osment, 41, was convicted by a majority verdict after an 11-week trial, after the court heard how detectives used an undercover officer to befriend him.
The officer, posing as a man named Paddy O’Hara, recorded Osment’s repeated confessions to Holland’s murder between December 2020 and July 2022.
During the trial, the jury heard that Osment had fallen under suspicion due to his violent temper, particularly when under the influence of alcohol.
Despite the absence of Ms. Holland’s body and no forensic evidence linking Osment to the crime, the court relied on recordings of several confessions Osment had made to various people over the years.
Andrew Langdon KC, prosecuting, emphasized Osment’s explosive temper and propensity for violence, suggesting that he likely lost control during a heated argument with Ms. Holland, resulting in her tragic death.
The undercover operation exposed Osment’s disturbing character, capturing him confessing to the murder to Mr. O’Hara and discussing disposing of Ms. Holland’s body.
In one recorded conversation, Osment stated, “I did what I did, I did what I done…she ain’t going to be seeing the light of day again.”
Osment and Ms. Holland, both alcoholics, had a tumultuous relationship marred by domestic violence allegations. Their child had been placed in foster care, adding strain to an already troubled dynamic.
Detective Superintendent Darren Hannant, senior investigating officer at Avon and Somerset Police, described the crime as “brutal and premeditated,” motivated by Osment’s intense hatred for Claire. The evidence gathered over four years, including witness statements, phone data, and missing person investigation records, ultimately led to Osment’s conviction.
Osment is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20 at Bristol Crown Court. Despite the guilty verdict, the pain endures for Ms. Holland’s family, who have spent over a decade seeking justice and closure.