A man who raped and murdered his former fiancée after she agreed to celebrate his 60th birthday with him as a ‘final act of kindness’ before moving on with her life has been jailed.
James Cartwright, 61, was branded an ‘evil, controlling, manipulative predator’ as he was given a life sentence today over the killing of 54-year-old Samantha Mickleburgh last April.
Samantha’s body was found at the five-star Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, where she had stayed with Cartwright because she ‘didn’t want him to feel lonely’ on his birthday.
Between strangling her and calling 999 the following morning, Cartwright placed an engagement ring on her finger and ‘staged’ the room to make it look like they had got back together and had consensual sex.
He then lied to her family that she had died in her sleep and later told jurors her injuries had been caused by falling out of the bed.
Cartwright was ordered to serve a minimum term of 28 years at Guildford Crown Court.
He was acquitted of controlling and coercive behaviour, but prosecutor Louise Oakley told the court that Cartwright’s conduct towards Samantha was ‘cruel, repressive and overbearing’.
Six of Samantha’s relatives faced down Cartwright as they read out victim impact statements.
Her sister Tracey Carter said: ‘Our family welcomed you into our homes and hearts and you violated that trust and kindness. 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.’
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She continued: ‘I wish she had never met you.
‘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.’
Jailing Cartwright, Mr Justice Murray said: ‘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.’
During the trial, Ms Oakley told jurors Samantha had ended her relationship with Cartwright months earlier in February 2024.
‘She didn’t wish him any ill, but she no longer wanted to live with him and no longer wanted to be in a relationship with him,’ Ms Oakley said.
‘But part of her also felt bad for him, believing that he had no one else to spend that day with.
‘As a result, she had arranged a celebratory meal and stay at Penny Hill Park and Spa, and in a final act of selflessness, she honoured that commitment despite telling friends and family that the relationship was over.’
Ms Oakley added: ‘She had intended at some point to tell him that this was the last time they would see each other.
‘Is this what caused James Cartwright’s explosion of violence?
‘He had started to lose control of his relationship with Samantha because of his own controlling and coercive ways.’
Detective Inspector Debbie Birch said: ‘Through our extensive investigation into her death, we got to know the Samantha’s character well and what stood out was the overwhelming sense from her loved ones that she was an extremely kind, thoughtful and compassionate person.
‘She had felt guilty about ending her relationship with Cartwright and she had always followed through on her promises – this trip was meant to be one last kindness before she moved on with her life.
‘Tragically, Cartwright ensured that she was never able to do this. His control and possessiveness meant he couldn’t bear to let her go, despite having another girlfriend at the time.
‘He callously murdered her and has never admitted responsibility or shown any remorse, but the jury saw him for what he is and has found him guilty.’
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