A man branded an “evil, controlling, manipulative predator” has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years after he “callously” raped and murdered his ex-fiancee Samantha Mickleburgh at a Surrey hotel last year.
James Cartwright asked Ms Mickleburgh to come with him to the the five-star Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot to celebrate his 60th birthday, where he then raped and strangled her in their room. He then called the police and told them he had woken up to find her dead in the early hours of April 14, 2024. Cartwright was later arrested for murder after a post-mortem examination uncovered several injuries including a fractured skull and signs of strangulation of her neck.
The 61-year-old denied all charges, but was found guilty of murder and rape by a jury and jailed at Guildford Crown Court on Friday following a three-and-a-half week trial. He was found not guilty of a third charge of controlling and coercive behaviour.
During the trial, the court heard how Ms Mickleburgh, 54, had previously ended the relationship, but agreed to come with him on the trip as “one last kindness” believing he had nobody else to go with. Restaurant staff recalled how she became unwell during their six-course dinner and was escorted back to their room by Cartwright. There, he raped her and strangled her to death with his hands, the court heard.
Between killing her and calling an ambulance at about 8.30am the next morning, when he would claim he had discovered Ms Mickleburgh dead beside him in bed, the prosecution said Cartwright placed an engagement ring on her left ring finger to “support this assertion that they had become re-engaged the night before” and “staged the hotel room” to make it look as though they had consensual sex.
Jurors were also told of Cartwright’s history of obsessive behaviour towards her, which took a “frightening” turn after she broke off the relationship. He turned up at her house uninvited to mow her lawn, sat outside the house for extended periods of time, and bombarded her with calls and messages, the court heard.
Prosecutor Louise Oakley also argued that during his and Ms Mickleburgh’s relationship, Cartwright’s conduct was “cruel, repressive and overbearing”.
In a victim impact statement Tracey Carter, one of Ms Mickleburgh’s sisters, told the court her family had “welcomed” Cartwright into their “homes and hearts” and spent special occasions with him, including Christmas.
“Our family welcomed you into our homes and hearts and you violated that trust and kindness,” she said. “You spent Christmas and other special occasions with (the family). I will never understand why you thought you had the right to do the horrific things that you did to Sam.”
She added she wished her sister had never met him and asked: “Did you feel proud of yourself when you lied to my father, saying that Sam had died in her sleep knowing full well the horror that you had put her through?
“Do you take some kind of sadistic enjoyment in your lies? You have caused an indescribable amount of pain and suffering to our family but know this: we are strong and you cannot break us, you cannot take Sam from us.
“We now know that you have a history of controlling behaviour towards women that you have relationships with. We know you would stalk Sam and this made her fear for her safety. I hope you are never free to harm anyone again.
“I believe you are a monster – an evil, controlling, manipulative predator who really thought you were clever enough to get away with murder, my sister’s murder.”
Sentencing the defendant, Mr Justice Murray told him: “Collectively (Ms Mickleburgh’s family) described Samantha’s wonderful qualities as a daughter, as a mother and as a sister – caring, thoughtful, fun, well-organised, generous to a fault and devoted to her family.
“Samantha’s family suffer a grief that those who have not experienced it cannot imagine. It lies beyond words to fully describe.”
In a tribute, Samantha’s family said: “We as a family, are relieved that this has finally come to an end. That the defendant has been seen for who he truly is, a rapist and a murderer. No longer free to harm or control any more women.
“Unfortunately, it was too late for our beloved Daughter, Mother, Sister and friend. She truly was the best of us, the kindest light in all our lives and the hole left behind is one of such severe magnitude we will likely never escape it. Justice will not bring her back, but it has provided a form of closure on this dark chapter and security in the knowledge that James Cartwright will remain in the safest place for everyone.
“Samantha wouldn’t want to be known as a victim. She would want to be known for her passion for life, her class and beautiful style, her honesty, integrity, strength and dedication to all who knew her.
“We continue to ask for privacy as we navigate what it means to live in a world without Samantha and her incredible personality and love.”
