Perry Coulson, aged 39 and residing at Lesney Gardens in Rochford, has been found guilty of murder in the tragic death of 32-year-old Dominic Clark-Ellingford, a beloved father of two. The verdict was reached unanimously by a jury after a seven-day-long trial at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, 21 July.
The heart-wrenching murder investigation was initiated on Friday, 25 November 2022, following distressing reports of a serious assault at an address in Lesney Gardens, Rochford, around 8:30 am. Tragically, Dominic Clark-Ellingford was pronounced dead at the scene.
Upon arriving at the location, officers encountered Perry Coulson sitting in a car outside the property, with bloodstains visible on his clothing. Subsequent inquiries revealed that after the assault, Coulson walked to his neighbour’s house seeking assistance and used their phone to call his mother, uttering the haunting words, “He is dead, I’m sorry,” referring to Dominic.
Upon arrest, Coulson remained silent during the police interview, refusing to answer any questions. The Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate led the thorough investigation, involving an examination of CCTV footage and interviews with numerous witnesses to ascertain the connection between the victim and the suspect.
The investigation brought to light that Coulson and Dominic had known each other for approximately two decades, having grown up in Rochford and recently becoming closer friends. On 27 November, Perry Coulson was charged with murder and was subsequently remanded into custody.
Following the seven-day trial, Coulson was convicted of the murder, and the sentencing is scheduled for Friday, 11 August, at Basildon Crown Court.
Detective Chief Inspector Julie Gowen, the Senior Investigating Officer for the case, expressed her condolences and said, “This was a horrendous assault, where a father of two lost his life. Our Serious Crime Directorate have remained committed to this investigation, dedicating hundreds of hours of work to carry out enquiries and secure justice for Dominic’s family. I hope that today’s conviction provides them with a form of closure so they can move forward as a family.”
During the trial, Dominic Clark-Ellingford’s family paid a heartfelt tribute to their departed loved one. They described Dominic as a much-loved son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and devoted father to his two young children. He cherished every moment spent with them, enjoying adventurous outings, playing board games, listening to music, and singing together.
In addition to being a music lover, Dominic was on a path to a promising future in counselling and therapy, specialising in helping those struggling with addiction. His loss has left an immense void not only within his family but also among his friends and colleagues, reflecting his positive impact on those around him.
Dominic’s family expressed gratitude to Essex Police, from the first responders to the team of detectives, for their unwavering dedication to securing justice for Dominic, who will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. His children, devastated by the loss, now face a future without their adored father in their lives. The family now hopes that the conviction brings some sense of closure so they can begin to heal from this profound loss.
