Man guilty of raping and killing ex-partner at Surrey hotel

A man who claimed that his partner died after rolling out of bed and hitting her nose has been convicted of her murder. 

Samantha Mickleburgh honoured plans to celebrate James Cartwright’s 60th birthday at Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa in Surrey in April 2024, wanting to make sure he wasn’t lonely, despite having ended their relationship. She knew this would be the last time she would see him. 

Samantha confided in friends that she found their relationship suffocating. She said despite Cartwright moving out of her house a few weeks earlier, he had not accepted that the relationship was over, despite him moving in with a new partner

When eating dinner at the hotel, Samantha started to feel unwell and they left before finishing their meal. The hotel called the room to find out why they had left, and made a number of calls before Cartwright answered. He said they would not be returning to the restaurant but gave no reason why. 

Cartwright called 999 just before 8:30am on 14 April 2024, saying he had discovered Samantha’s body. 

Moses Koroma from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “It was clear from the forensic evidence that Samantha had been murdered. She was strangled and had a significant head injury, and 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, Cartwright 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. 

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

“Worried that he would be alone for his 60th birthday, Samantha honoured her promise to spend the weekend with Cartwright. He took advantage of this last selfless act with a vicious and murderous attack.”

Building the case 

The post mortem showed that Samantha had been strangled and there was also evidence of a significant head injury. 

DNA evidence, accounts from hotel staff and comments that Samantha had made to friends prior to her death helped to build the case that Cartwright had also raped Samantha. 

When asked by her friends what she would do if Cartwright asked to have sex with her, Samantha said that she would leave.

Cartwright was seen physically helping Samantha to stand up when they left the restaurant, meaning she would not have been able to consent to sex. Samantha had also specifically booked a room with two beds, so that they would not need to share a bed.