BBC News, South East
Surrey PoliceA “controlling and coercive” father-of-three accused of raping and murdering his ex-fiance at a luxury hotel had been out dancing with his new girlfriend the night before, a court has heard.
Samantha Mickleburgh, from Axminster in Devon, was found dead at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, on 14 April 2024.
James Cartwright, 61, who prosecutors say was leading a double life, had been out dancing at a ceilidh with Ella Callard and “seemed in a happy mood” before allegedly killing his ex “with his own bare hands”, Guildford Crown Court was told.
The 61-year-old, of no fixed address, denies charges of rape, murder and controlling and coercive behaviour.
The 54-year-old mother-of-two had ended her relationship with Mr Cartwright two months before her death but arranged to stay in a twin room with him because she “didn’t want him to feel lonely” on his 60th birthday, the trial heard.
Giving evidence on Thursday, Ms Callard said Mr Cartwright had initially been “very attentive, quiet and reserved” after they met online in February 2024.
As Cartwright’s 60th birthday approached, he told her his daughters had been making arrangements, telling him to meet them at the hotel, the court was told.
In a call, Mr Cartwright told Ms Callard he did not know Ms Mickleburgh would be there and woke up the next morning to find her dead, jurors heard.
GoogleMr Cartright, who assured Ms Callard nothing intimate happened with Ms Mickleburgh, also told her his ex-fiance had a nose bleed during the night but refused medical help, the court heard.
Ms Mickleburgh’s colleague and friend Martin Manning said she told him her relationship with Mr Cartwright had initially been “fine”, but said he could sometimes lose his temper, jurors heard.
“She caught him reading her emails and then he lost it big time,” Mr Manning told the court.
“He would shout at her and back her into a corner. It frightened her.
“I was concerned for her safety,” he added.
Mr Manning said he offered to let Ms Mickleburgh stay with him and his wife to get away from Mr Cartwright if she felt scared.
He even set up a code phrase for her to say over the phone to let him know if she was in danger, the court heard.
“He was difficult to get rid of, she wanted him out,” Mr Manning said.
“He told her ‘I’m not a real man if I let you throw me out’. I did find that very disturbing.”
Prosecutor Louise Oakley told jurors previously 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 bed, jurors were told.
The trial continues.
Additional reporting from PA.
