A person who raped and murdered his former fiancée after she agreed to have fun his sixtieth birthday with him as a ‘last act of kindness’ earlier than transferring on together with her life has been jailed.
James Cartwright, 61, was branded an ‘evil, controlling, manipulative predator’ as he was given a life sentence immediately over the killing of 54-year-old Samantha Mickleburgh final April.
Samantha’s physique was discovered on the five-star Pennyhill Park Resort in Bagshot, Surrey, the place she had stayed with Cartwright as a result of she ‘didn’t need him to really feel lonely’ on his birthday.
Between strangling her and calling 999 the next morning, Cartwright positioned an engagement ring on her finger and ‘staged’ the room to make it appear to be they’d obtained again collectively and had consensual intercourse.
He then lied to her household that she had died in her sleep and later informed jurors her accidents had been attributable to falling out of the mattress.
Cartwright was ordered to serve a minimal time period of 28 years at Guildford Crown Court docket.
He was acquitted of controlling and coercive behaviour, however prosecutor Louise Oakley informed the court docket that Cartwright’s conduct in direction of Samantha was ‘merciless, repressive and overbearing’.
Six of Samantha’s kinfolk confronted down Cartwright as they learn out sufferer affect statements.
Her sister Tracey Carter stated: ‘Our household welcomed you into our houses and hearts and also you violated that belief and kindness. You spent Christmas and different particular events with (the household).
‘I’ll by no means perceive why you thought you had the fitting to do the horrific issues that you simply did to Sam.’
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She continued: ‘I want she had by no means met you.
‘Did you are feeling pleased with your self while you lied to my father, saying that Sam had died in her sleep understanding full effectively the horror that you simply had put her by way of?
‘Do you’re taking some form of sadistic enjoyment in your lies? You may have precipitated an indescribable quantity of ache and struggling to our household however know this: we’re robust and you can’t break us, you can’t take Sam from us.
‘We now know that you’ve a historical past of controlling behaviour in direction of ladies that you’ve relationships with. We all know you’d stalk Sam and this made her concern for her security. I hope you might be by no means free to hurt anybody once more.
‘I consider you’re a monster – an evil, controlling, manipulative predator who actually thought you have been intelligent sufficient to get away with homicide, my sister’s homicide.’
Jailing Cartwright, Mr Justice Murray stated: ‘Collectively (Ms Mickleburgh’s household) described Samantha’s great qualities as a daughter, as a mom and as a sister – caring, considerate, enjoyable, well-organised, beneficiant to a fault and dedicated to her household.
‘Samantha’s household endure a grief that those that haven’t skilled it can’t think about. It lies past phrases to totally describe.’
Throughout the trial, Ms Oakley informed jurors Samantha had ended her relationship with Cartwright months earlier in February 2024.
‘She didn’t want him any in poor health, however she not needed to dwell with him and not needed to be in a relationship with him,’ Ms Oakley stated.
‘However a part of her additionally felt dangerous for him, believing that he had nobody else to spend that day with.
‘Consequently, she had organized a celebratory meal and keep at Penny Hill Park and Spa, and in a last act of selflessness, she honoured that dedication regardless of telling family and friends that the connection was over.’
Ms Oakley added: ‘She had supposed sooner or later to inform him that this was the final time they might see one another.
‘Is that this what precipitated James Cartwright’s explosion of violence?
‘He had began to lose management of his relationship with Samantha due to his personal controlling and coercive methods.’
Detective Inspector Debbie Birch stated: ‘By way of our in depth investigation into her demise, we obtained to know the Samantha’s character effectively and what stood out was the overwhelming sense from her family members that she was a particularly variety, considerate and compassionate individual.
‘She had felt responsible about ending her relationship with Cartwright and he or she had all the time adopted by way of on her guarantees – this journey was meant to be one final kindness earlier than she moved on together with her life.
‘Tragically, Cartwright ensured that she was by no means ready to do that. His management and possessiveness meant he couldn’t bear to let her go, regardless of having one other girlfriend on the time.
‘He callously murdered her and has by no means admitted duty or proven any regret, however the jury noticed him for what he’s and has discovered him responsible.’
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