Man admits he killed Megan, but denies that it was murder
ROSS MCCULLAM, 29, ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR CAUSING THE DEATH
A MAN has appeared in court to deny murdering a young woman whose body was found in the Leicestershire countryside.
Ross McCullam of Windsor
Close, Coalville, pleaded guilty to an alternative offence of the manslaughter of Megan Newborough on Friday, August 6.
He did so on the grounds of diminished responsibility and loss of control.
A MAN has appeared in court to deny murdering a young woman whose body was found in the Leicestershire countryside.
Ross McCullam of Windsor Close, Coalville, pleaded guilty to an alternative offence of the manslaughter of Megan Newborough on Friday, August 6.
He did so on the grounds of diminished responsibility and loss of control.
Seconds earlier, he had entered a “not guilty” plea to the murder of 23-year-old Megan, whose body was found in Charley Road, Woodhouse Eaves, in the early hours of Sunday, August 8.
Police were first made aware that Megan, from Nuneaton, was missing on the night of Saturday, August 7 and a search was carried out.
McCullam, 29, appeared at Leicester Crown Court via a live video link from the prison, where he is currently on remand.
Megan’s family attended the
12-minute hearing and watched from the public gallery as the two pleas were entered.
The prosecutor, Gordon Aspden QC, said the manslaughter plea was “not acceptable” to the Crown.
Judge Timothy Spencer QC then said: “So it will be a (murder) trial.” He adjourned yesterday’s hearing for a three-week trial. Addressing the defendant, Judge Spencer said: “Through your plea you’ve admitted a very serious matter and a very serious offence. “The prosecution do not accept this is a manslaughter case, they say it’s a murder case.
“A jury will have to decide that and your trial will take place on March 7.”
The judge said McCullam was expected to attend his trial in person and the defendant replied: “Yes, I understand.”
McCullam was formally remanded back into custody to await a pre-trial review hearing on a date yet to be fixed.