'Evil' murderer jailed for minimum of 28 years

A MAN who raped and murdered his ex-fiancée at a luxury hotel in Surrey has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years, as the woman's family branded him an “evil, controlling, manipulative predator”.

- ELLIE NG

The body of Samantha Mickleburgh, 54 - described by her loved ones as their “champagne girl” who lit up every room she walked in - was found dead at the five-star Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot on April 14 last year.

James Cartwright was unanimously convicted by a jury last month of raping and murdering the mother-of-two during their stay at the hotel.

Cartwright, 61, was acquitted of a further charge of controlling and coercive behaviour, but prosecutor Louise Oakley argued that during his and Ms Mickleburgh’s relationship, Cartwright's conduct was “cruel, repressive and overbearing”.