Coalville man who killed his 23-year-old colleague could have sentence increased

You are viewing content from Fosse 107 Hinckley and Nuneaton. Would you like to make this your preferred location?
Ross McCullam

The sentence has been examined by the Attorney General’s Office to see if it was 'unduly lenient'.

A man, who was sentenced to life, after murdering his 23-year-old colleague from Nuneaton could have his sentence increased.

Ross McCullam was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years in December 2022 and this has now been referred to the Court of Appeal.

The sentence has been examined by the Attorney General’s Office to see if it was 'unduly lenient'.

The 30-year-old was found guilty of killing Megan Newborough in his own home on the evening of Friday 6 August last year.

The family of Megan Newborough family, said: "The family are aware of the decision to review the sentence as being ‘unduly lenient’. 

“No sentence will be long enough but it is our hope that the minimum term will be increased to at least 30 years+ based on the aggravating factors of the case.

“We continue to struggle moving forward and nothing will ever bring Megan back, or fill the void she has left behind, but knowing he will not be released for a greater period of time provides some reassurance that the public will be further protected from this monster.”

On the evening of Friday 6th of August last year, 23-year-old Megan Newborough visited Ross McCullam at his home in Windsor Close.

Her family reported her missing to Warwickshire Police the following day when she did not return home to Nuneaton.

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.

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.”

More from Local News

Five Day Forecast

  • Sat

    Heavy rain shower

    20°C

  • Sun

    Sunny intervals

    21°C

  • Mon

    Sunny intervals

    19°C

  • Tue

    Sunny intervals

    20°C

On Air Now and Next

  • Saturday Breakfast with Kenny Hague

    8:00am - Noon

    Kenny's weekly show with all his usual 'bits' plus Just Great Music

  • Dave Shepherd

    Noon - 5:00pm

    Dave plays the best tunes for your weekend.

Recently Played

Follow us on Social Media