Coalville man found guilty of murdering colleague Megan Newborough

On Saturday 7th August, McCullam was spoken to by officers on the phone and told them Megan had been to see him, but left that evening. He said he had not heard from her since.

However, using a tracking app, her family and officers located her phone in Hermitage Road, Whitwick.

Officers then went to Windsor Close and arrested McCullam on suspicion of kidnap.

McCullam then told officers that she was dead and that her body had been left in Charley Road in Woodhouse Eaves. 

McCullam was further arrested on suspicion of murder and the investigation was passed to detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU).

In an interview, he told officers he had strangled her before cutting her throat.

He told police he had then placed her body in the passenger seat of her car and drove off from his home, disposing of her phone before depositing Megan’s body at the spot where it was found. He then continued driving, eventually arriving in Loughborough where he abandoned the vehicle and returned home.

On the 10th of August, McCullam was charged with Megan’s murder.

McCullam, 30, denied the offence but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. However today (Monday 12 December)) at Leicester Crown Court, following a trial spanning several weeks, he was convicted of her murder.

The senior investigating officer from EMSOU – Detective Inspector Jenni Heggs – said: “First and foremost, my deepest and most sincere condolences remain with Megan’s family.

“Today’s outcome is the end of a lengthy trial which recounted in great detail the weeks and days leading up to her death – and McCullam’s attempts to cover up his actions.

“He has never been able to give a full explanation of why he killed Megan. This, without doubt, has caused further pain to her family and friends.

“She was only 23, with her whole life ahead of her and I know those who knew her are still struggling to come to terms with what happened. I hope today’s outcome provides them with a degree of closure.”

McCullam will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday (16 December).