Ross McCollum: ‘Sadistic’ killer who strangled co-worker goes to jail as family denounces ‘evil monster’

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A “sadistic” murderer who killed a female co-worker he was dating less than a month ago has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years.

‘Ruthless’ Ross McCollum, who admitted manslaughter before his trial, was unanimously found guilty at Leicester Crown Court on Monday of the ‘merciless’ murder of ‘smart and popular’ HR employee Megan Newborough.

Ms. Newborough’s family said the killing “torn apart” their lives.

Megan Newborough’s family says their lives have been ‘ripped apart’

(Leicestershire Police)

During a victim impact statement, Claire Newborough, Newborough’s older sister, said, addressing a tearful McCollum at the dock: “I hope it haunts you.”

Turning to McCollam, who was sitting sobbing to himself in the dock a few feet across the courtroom, Claire Newborough called him “the definition of a beast.”

She said: “The definition of a monster is cruel, frightening and vicious – and it is to my relief that the defendant was recognized as a monster.”

“You are an unpredictable menace, a menace to women, a serial killer obsessed,” he said, adding that he also seemed obsessed with his notoriety.

(PA average)

The family said their hearts were broken beyond repair and are now “serving a life sentence” as a result of her death.

And the family continued in their statement: “The same thoughts are constantly running through our heads – should we know? Is there anything we could have done? We are still overcome with guilt for not protecting her.

“It’s still not all real, and when we’re home, we still expect Meghan to walk through the front door. It’s an expectation we don’t think will ever leave us.”

(PA average)

McCollum alleged that he only acted after losing the control she had inadvertently aroused during oral sex.

Porn-obsessed McCollum sought to blame Ms. Newborough, claiming he entered a “blind rage” triggered by undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from unreported childhood sexual abuse.

He claimed the trigger for the attack occurred when she tried to pressure him into a sexual encounter at his parents’ home in Windsor Close, Coalville, Leicestershire, on 6 August 2021.

But that claim was just the beginning of a web of lies he told, as jurors heard how Ms. Newborough told her parents that she was driving to McClamm’s house to go for a walk and it wouldn’t be long.

Ross McCollum arrested at his home (Leicestershire Police/PA)

Speaking after the conviction, Inspector Jenny Higgs, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, described McCollam as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” and believed he would “go on killing again”.

She said, “I think he enjoyed and sexually aroused her, because of what he did. That’s a dangerous combination.”

There were signs that Mrs. Newborough had fought desperately to fend off McCollum in the hall.

“She was covered in wounds, from her shins to the crown of her head,” said prosecutor John Camig KS.

There were fist marks on her shoulders, and left arm, likely inflicted when McClamm tried to “silence” her, indicating a “constant, long, ruthless struggle”.

Her FitBit was also stolen in the attack and later recovered under a nearby TV.

Camig McClame described to jurors a “sadistic killer” who acted with “ruthless” intent.

“When it comes to women – this is a very dangerous man,” he said.

The jury agreed to convict the former kitchen assistant in just an hour and a half on Monday.

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