Man guilty of murdering ex-fiancee at luxury hotel

Samantha Mickleburgh was found dead at a hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, on 14 April 2024

A man has been found guilty of raping and murdering his former fiancee at a luxury hotel in Surrey last year.

James Cartwright, 61, was convicted following a three and a half-week trial at Guildford Crown Court.

The body of 54-year-old Samantha Mickleburgh was found at the five-star Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot last April.

The mother-of-two, from Axminster in Devon, had agreed to stay in a twin room with Cartwright because she "didn't want him to feel lonely" on his birthday, the jury was told.

He phoned 999 the next morning claiming he had discovered her dead beside him in bed.

A jury unanimously convicted him of murder and rape but acquitted him of controlling or coercive behaviour.

Ms Mickleburgh's loved ones cried in court after the verdicts were read out and hugged each other after the hearing.

Mr Justice Murray set the sentencing date for 8 August and told Cartwright he would be remanded in custody until then.

James Cartwright was said to have launched a "vicious and murderous attack"

Cartwright, who did not visibly react as the jury gave its verdicts, thanked the judge before leaving the dock.

During the trial, jurors were told he had lent Ms Mickleburgh tens of thousands of pounds to help renovate a property she had bought in early 2023.

He claimed she owed him around £100,000 at the time of her death.

The pair lived together and got engaged later that year, with Cartwright proposing on a beach during a holiday.

He told the court the proposal was met with "an immediate and emphatic yes" and described their relationship at the time as "extremely amicable and friendly and loving".

But the relationship began to break down when Cartwright discovered "highly sexual" messages from Ms Mickleburgh's former partner on her phone and later on her laptop, about which he confronted her.

And although the pair continued to live together until February 2024 and remained physically intimate, he said he no longer trusted her.

Following their separation Cartwright began speaking to other women on a dating app, telling one that the upcoming dinner with his ex had "the feel of a final farewell" - or "the last goodbye", as he described it in another message.

The pair had been celebrating Cartwright's birthday at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot

The defendant, of no fixed address, told the court he had been married and divorced three times and had three adult daughters.

Ms Mickleburgh's family said in a statement they were "relieved" Cartwright had "finally been seen for who he truly is - a rapist and a murderer".

"Unfortunately, it was too late for our beloved daughter, mother, sister and friend," they said.

"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."

'Web of lies'

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) described Cartwright as having taken advantage of Ms Mickleburgh's kindness, launching a "vicious and murderous attack".

Moses Koroma, from the CPS, said "the jury saw straight through Cartwright's claims that this had all resulted from her falling out of bed".

"As soon as he called 999, he started to weave his web of lies, telling police that Samantha had asked him to move back in and they were due to get married a few months later," he said.

"A very different picture emerged of their relationship from conversations Samantha had with friends and family about their life behind closed doors.

"Worried that Cartwright would be alone for his 60th birthday, she honoured her promise to spend the weekend with him - a final selfless act he took advantage of."

A Surrey Police spokesperson said Cartwright had "never admitted responsibility or shown any remorse" for what he did.

"This trip was meant to be one last kindness before she moved on with her life," said Det Insp Debbie Birch.

"Tragically, Cartwright ensured that she was never able to do this.

"His control and possessiveness meant he couldn't bear to let her go."