Exclusive: Haunting Images Reveal Artist's Ordeal Before Fatal Assault
Haunting images have emerged showing talented artist James Self, 47, covered in bruises just days after a brutal attack by his abusive girlfriend, Polly Murphy, which ultimately led to his death. The pictures depict the horrific ordeal suffered by James at the hands of Murphy, who flew into a rage after he gave her a birthday present during a weekend away in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in November 2023.
A Frenzied Two-Hour Assault
Murphy subjected James to a frenzied two-hour assault at the Smugglers’ Cove hotel, battering and stamping on him, resulting in eight fractured ribs, serious internal injuries, and bruising across his entire body. Instead of seeking help, she fled the scene and spun a web of lies, delaying calling emergency services for 18 hours. When paramedics arrived, they found James in a blood-splattered room, with blood on the walls, floor, ceilings, and bedding.
James told paramedics, "No, she’s been hitting me – it was one-sided and I didn’t retaliate." This attack was the culmination of months of domestic abuse that had left James isolated from his family.
Heartbreaking Messages and a Mother's Plea
In messages sent to his mother, Ashe Smith, 80, days before his death, James begged, "I want to fix things and make sure she’s OK." Ashe revealed that James bore the stigma of being a male victim of domestic abuse, feeling ashamed and unwilling to seek help. "He wouldn’t ask for help and that’s why he died," she said. "I don’t want anyone else to go through that."
Ashe emphasized that female-on-male domestic abuse is more common than perceived, with men often finding it difficult to speak up due to embarrassment and humiliation. She urged, "Men can come forward, and they should. There’s no shame in holding up your hand."
A Pattern of Manipulation and Control
Detectives recovered 20,000 text messages cataloguing psychological abuse Murphy inflicted on James, painting a picture of a doting boyfriend met with poisonous manipulation. In one exchange from October 2023, Murphy warned, "I will hunt you and kill you. If I ever see you again, I will kill you." Ashe described the messages as "venomous" and psychologically damaging.
Murphy, who had a previous 2009 conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm to a former partner, used coercive control tactics, including forcing James into a vegan diet, exploiting his alcohol issues, and denying their relationship. She even confiscated his phone, later throwing it at his face, causing a gash over his eye.
The Tragic Aftermath and Legal Outcome
Despite the abuse, James showed love until his final breath, even asking police not to pursue Murphy after the attack. He was discharged from hospital six weeks later but fell ill immediately, slipping into a coma and dying on December 21, 2023. Murphy, 42, from Highgate, North London, was initially charged with grievous bodily harm but later convicted of murder after a nine-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. She was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 15 years.
A Call for Education and Awareness
Ashe, who feels no hate for Murphy, is calling for the Government to educate boys and girls in schools about the red flags of domestic abuse. She highlighted statistics from the Office for National Statistics showing that one in five men (21.8%) reported being victims of domestic abuse in their lifetime, with men comprising 42% of all victims.
"She has ruined our life, but she has ruined her life too," Ashe said. "There are no winners in this really, are they? James was such a really lovely, creative, kind, interesting person." She expressed relief that the abuse James suffered was recognized in court, hoping his story encourages others to seek help.
