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 given a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years at Guildford Crown Court 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.
Her family said they were ‘relieved’ following Cartwright’s convictions last week, adding he is ‘no longer free to harm or control any more women’.
Cartwright 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’.
Jailing him, 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.’
In a statement, Samantha’s family said of her: ‘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.
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‘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.’
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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