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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Woman fractured skull before ex allegedly strangled her to death in luxury hotel
A woman allegedly strangled to death by her ex partner in a luxury hotel sustained a fractured skull before she died, a court has heard. Samantha Mickleburgh, from Axminster, Devon, was found dead at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, on the morning of April 14 last year. The mother of two, 54, had arranged to stay in a twin room with her ex-fiance, James Cartwright, the night before, because she 'didn't want him to feel lonely' on his birthday, a trial at Guildford Crown Court previously heard. Cartwright called 999 at about 8.30am on April 14 claiming he had discovered the lifeless body of Ms Mickleburgh lying next to him in bed. Dr Robert Chapman, who conducted a post-mortem examination on April 18, found she died by 'manual compression of the neck' consistent with 'strangulation or throttling'. The level of haemorrhaging suggested continuous pressure was placed on her neck for 30 seconds, he told jurors on Friday. Prosecutor Louise Oakley played a stop watch for 30 seconds to give the court 'an understanding of that length of time in real life'. Her skull had also been fractured near her right eye socket while she was still alive, Dr Chapman told the court. Pathologists use a three-point scale to measure the use of force: mild, moderate, and severe. Dr Chapman said evidence of a bone fracturing would generally lead to a conclusion of 'severe force, so at the top end of the scale'. Asked how someone would sustain such an injury, Dr Chapman said: 'This is the result of a blunt impact of some sort to the right side of the forehead'. Giving a list of possible causes, he said: 'A heavy, unprotected fall onto a hard surface, so someone falling and striking their head onto a hard surface without protecting themselves by putting their arms out. 'A blow with a firm object could also do it. The possibility of a head being forced, or forcibly impacted, against a flat surface like a wall could also produce that type of injury.' He could not say which option was more likely. The prosecutor asked if the injuries would align with 'the forcing of Samantha Mickleburgh into a wall resulting in a fracture to her skull, resulting in a period perhaps of reduced consciousness, or concussion' before she was moved onto the bed and strangled. Dr Chapman said 'there's nothing in the pathology that could undermine that particular sequence, but that's a particular sequence', later adding that there were other possible scenarios too. He agreed that Ms Mickleburgh could not have inflicted the injuries on herself. Cartwright claimed that Ms Mickleburgh had rolled out of bed during the night, hit her head on the bedside table, had a nose bleed and later died in her sleep, the trial heard previously. The doctor accepted defence barrister Martin Rutherford's proposition that some of the injuries could have been caused by falling onto a hard object in the room such as the floor tiles, bedside table, or radiator. Ms Oakley asked if the injuries 'in their totality' were 'consistent with somebody falling out of her bed, banging her head, falling back onto the bed, falling asleep, and dying in her sleep?' Dr Chapman said 'no'. On April 15, prior to police seizing his devices, a factory reset was performed on Cartwright's iPhone Pro Max. Its contents was subsequently restored from a backup using his desktop computer. The blouse worn to dinner by Ms Mickleburgh on April 13 was later found in a drawer in a property in Axminster with 'light, indistinct blood staining' on the right sleeve. Forensics concluded that the blood 'had been removed or altered in the intervening period, probably by washing', Ms Oakley said as she read out agreed facts. Cartwright, 61, of no fixed address, is on trial accused of raping and murdering Ms Mickleburgh between April 12 and April 14 last year. He also denies one count of controlling and coercive behaviour between May 1 2022 and April 14 2024.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Woman fractured skull before ex allegedly strangled her to death in luxury hotel
A woman allegedly strangled to death by her ex partner in a luxury hotel sustained a fractured skull before she died, a court has heard. Samantha Mickleburgh, from Axminster, Devon, was found dead at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, on the morning of April 14 last year. The mother of two, 54, had arranged to stay in a twin room with her ex-fiance, James Cartwright, the night before, because she 'didn't want him to feel lonely' on his birthday, a trial at Guildford Crown Court previously heard. Cartwright called 999 at about 8.30am on April 14 claiming he had discovered the lifeless body of Ms Mickleburgh lying next to him in bed. Dr Robert Chapman, who conducted a post-mortem examination on April 18, found she died by 'manual compression of the neck' consistent with 'strangulation or throttling'. The level of haemorrhaging suggested continuous pressure was placed on her neck for 30 seconds, he told jurors on Friday. Prosecutor Louise Oakley played a stop watch for 30 seconds to give the court 'an understanding of that length of time in real life'. Her skull had also been fractured near her right eye socket while she was still alive, Dr Chapman told the court. Pathologists use a three-point scale to measure the use of force: mild, moderate, and severe. Dr Chapman said evidence of a bone fracturing would generally lead to a conclusion of 'severe force, so at the top end of the scale'. Asked how someone would sustain such an injury, Dr Chapman said: 'This is the result of a blunt impact of some sort to the right side of the forehead'. Giving a list of possible causes, he said: 'A heavy, unprotected fall onto a hard surface, so someone falling and striking their head onto a hard surface without protecting themselves by putting their arms out. 'A blow with a firm object could also do it. The possibility of a head being forced, or forcibly impacted, against a flat surface like a wall could also produce that type of injury.' He could not say which option was more likely. The prosecutor asked if the injuries would align with 'the forcing of Samantha Mickleburgh into a wall resulting in a fracture to her skull, resulting in a period perhaps of reduced consciousness, or concussion' before she was moved onto the bed and strangled. Dr Chapman said 'there's nothing in the pathology that could undermine that particular sequence, but that's a particular sequence', later adding that there were other possible scenarios too. He agreed that Ms Mickleburgh could not have inflicted the injuries on herself. Cartwright claimed that Ms Mickleburgh had rolled out of bed during the night, hit her head on the bedside table, had a nose bleed and later died in her sleep, the trial heard previously. The doctor accepted defence barrister Martin Rutherford's proposition that some of the injuries could have been caused by falling onto a hard object in the room such as the floor tiles, bedside table, or radiator. Ms Oakley asked if the injuries 'in their totality' were 'consistent with somebody falling out of her bed, banging her head, falling back onto the bed, falling asleep, and dying in her sleep?' Dr Chapman said 'no'. On April 15, prior to police seizing his devices, a factory reset was performed on Cartwright's iPhone Pro Max. Its contents was subsequently restored from a backup using his desktop computer. The blouse worn to dinner by Ms Mickleburgh on April 13 was later found in a drawer in a property in Axminster with 'light, indistinct blood staining' on the right sleeve. Forensics concluded that the blood 'had been removed or altered in the intervening period, probably by washing', Ms Oakley said as she read out agreed facts. Cartwright, 61, of no fixed address, is on trial accused of raping and murdering Ms Mickleburgh between April 12 and April 14 last year. He also denies one count of controlling and coercive behaviour between May 1 2022 and April 14 2024. The trial continues.
The Sun
11-07-2025
- The Sun
Ex-fiancé ‘raped & murdered mum-of-2 at luxury hotel before saying 'I'm heartbroken, I miss you' in Facebook post'
A MAN accused of murdering his ex-fiancee wrote "I miss you so much, I'm heartbroken" in a chilling Facebook tribute. James Cartwright, 61, is on trial for the rape and murder of Samantha Mickleburgh. 5 5 5 She arranged to celebrate his 60th birthday with him at a luxury hotel so he wouldn't be lonely, a court heard. But she was found dead at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, on the morning of April 14 last year. The kind 54-year-old mum, from Axminster in Devon, stayed in a twin room with her ex because she "didn't want him to feel lonely", a jury heard on Tuesday. Cartwright is standing trial at Guildford Crown Court and denies raping and murdering her. He also denies one count of controlling and coercive behaviour between May 1 2022 and April 14 2024. During the trial on Friday, prosecutor Louise Oakley read out a Facebook post written by Cartwright on April 15 2024. It said: "I am so heartbroken and devastated at the very sudden and unexpected loss of my gorgeous, kind, caring, and loving partner Samantha during the night of my birthday at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, after such a wonderful and happy evening." He said "I simply do not have the words" and referred to how his "extreme grief" was shared by her close family members. Cartwright wrote about how family, friends and colleagues, past and present, would all be "as shocked and sad as I am at her sudden passing". He wrote: "I miss you so much sweetheart and have no idea how I'm going to live without you. You have left such an enormous hole in all our lives. "Rest in peace my darling. I love you so very much and always will." Earlier this week jurors were told that Cartwright called 999 at about 8.30am on April 14 claiming he had discovered the lifeless body of Samantha lying next to him in bed. "That was a lie," Ms Oakley said. "He had most likely killed her in the early hours of April 14 2024 with his own bare hands applying manual pressure around her neck, extinguishing her life." She added: "There were only two people in this room - and she couldn't have and didn't strangle herself." The court heard the relationship between Cartwright and Samantha, which began in the summer of 2022, was "somewhat of a whirlwind" and that they got engaged in September 2023. Samantha ended her relationship with Cartwright in February 2024. Following their break-up, Cartwright had continued to pursue the mum, attending her address unexpectedly and uninvited, and "bombarding her" with messages and calls, Ms Oakley said. "He had started to lose control of his relationship with Samantha because of his own controlling and coercive ways," she added. "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." The former couple headed out for a six course tasting menu at the hotel's Michelin starred restaurant The Latymer on the evening of April 13, jurors were told. During the meal, staff observed that Samantha appeared unwell and that she "looked more and more sleepy and at points her eyes were closed and she looked like she was sleeping," prosecution said. They paid their bill and left the restaurant at around 10.30pm, while CCTV footage snapped the two walking back to their room a few minutes after. "This is the last time Samantha Mickleburgh was seen alive," Ms Oakley told the court. Cartwright was arrested by police on April 19 last year and interviewed by officers. The accused told cops that his ex-fiance "perked up" after they left the restaurant. He then claimed the two had consensual sex before "falling asleep in each other's arms," prosecution said. Ms Oakley said: "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?" The trial continues. 5 5
BBC News
11-07-2025
- BBC News
Man accused of Surrey murder wrote on Facebook about ex-fiancee
A man who allegedly murdered his ex-fiancee at a luxury hotel posted on Facebook about his heartbreak after her death, a court has Mickleburgh, from Axminster in Devon, was found dead on 14 April 2024 after spending the night with James Cartwright, the jury was 61-year-old's post the following day said: "I am so heartbroken and devastated at the very sudden and unexpected loss of my gorgeous, kind, caring, and loving partner Samantha during the night of my birthday at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, after such a wonderful and happy evening."Mr Cartwright, of no fixed address, denies charges of rape, murder and controlling and coercive behaviour. The post was read out at Guildford Crown Court on Friday by prosecutor Louise Cartwright wrote "I simply do not have the words" and referred to how his "extreme grief" was shared by Ms Mickleburgh's close also wrote about how family, friends and colleagues, past and present, would all be "as shocked and sad as I am at her sudden passing".The post said: "I miss you so much sweetheart and have no idea how I'm going to live without you. You have left such an enormous hole in all our lives. "Rest in peace my darling. I love you so very much and always will." Jurors were previously told that Mr Cartwright called 999 at about 08:30 BST saying he had discovered the lifeless body of Ms Mickleburgh lying next to him in Oakley said Mr Cartwright had most likely killed Ms Mickleburgh "with his own bare hands applying manual pressure around her neck, extinguishing her life".The court heard Ms Mickleburgh had ended her relationship with Mr Cartwright in February this, the 54-year-old mother-of-two had arranged to stay in a twin room with Mr Cartwright because she "didn't want him to feel lonely" on his 60th birthday, the jury was told. Following their break-up, Mr Cartwright had continued to pursue Ms Mickleburgh, attending her address unexpectedly and uninvited, and "bombarding her" with messages and calls, Ms Oakley said."He had started to lose control of his relationship with Samantha because of his own controlling and coercive ways," she court previously heard that a friend and colleague of Ms Mickleburgh had also become concerned about Mr Cartwright's trial continues. Additional reporting from PA.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- BBC News
Man killed ex-fiancee at luxury hotel in Bagshot, court told
A "controlling and coercive" man murdered his ex-fiancee at a luxury hotel after she arranged to celebrate his 60th birthday with him, a court has been Mickleburgh, from Axminster in Devon, was found dead at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, on 14 April 2024. The 54-year-old mother of two had arranged to stay in a twin room with her ex-fiance James Cartwright the night before, as she "didn't want him to feel lonely" on his birthday, a jury heard on Cartwright, 61, of no fixed address, is standing trial at Guildford Crown Court accused of rape and murder. He also denies one count of controlling and coercive behaviour. Prosecutor Louise Oakley, opening the trial, said Ms Mickleburgh had ended her relationship with Mr Cartwright 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 hotel stay in a final act of selflessness."She honoured that commitment despite telling friends and family that the relationship was over." 'Significant head injury' Mr Cartwright called 999 claiming he had discovered the lifeless body of Ms Mickleburgh lying next to him in bed, jurors were told."That was a lie," Ms Oakley said."He had most likely killed her with his own bare hands applying manual pressure around her neck, extinguishing her life."A post-mortem examination of Ms Mickleburgh's body revealed evidence of "a significant head injury" as well as fractures to bones in her neck which are consistent with an act of strangulation, jurors were told. The pair had attended the hotel's Michelin starred restaurant for a six course tasting menu, jurors during the evening, Ms Mickleburgh began to feel unwell, with staff noticing that she "looked more and more sleepy and at points her eyes were closed and she looked like she was sleeping", the prosecution around 22:30 BST the pair left the restaurant and were captured on CCTV walking back to the room."This is the last time Samantha Mickleburgh was seen alive," Ms Oakley told the court. 'Lose control' In his interview with Surrey Police following his arrest on 19 April last year, Mr Cartwright said Ms Mickleburgh had "perked up" on the way back to their then told police they had consensual sex before "falling asleep in each other's arms", the prosecution court heard their relationship, which began in the summer 2022, was "somewhat of a whirlwind" and they got engaged in September their breakup, Mr Cartwright continued to pursue Ms Mickleburgh, attending her home unexpectedly and uninvited, and "bombarding her" with messages and calls, Ms Oakley said."He had started to lose control of his relationship with Samantha because of his own controlling and coercive ways," she trial reporting by PA Media.
