Latest news with #controllingbehavior


BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Burton-upon-Trent man charged with murder over woman's death
A man has appeared in court accused of murdering a woman who died at a property in Cole, 38, is charged over the death of 39-year-old Lisa Holland at a house on Victoria Crescent, Burton-on-Trent on 20 October has also been charged with engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour in a Cole, from Burton-on-Trent, appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Wednesday, and at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday. He was remanded in custody ahead of a court appearance on 11 September, with a trial provisionally set for February. Ms Holland's family continued to be supported by specialist officers, police said. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.


BBC News
6 days ago
- 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.