Man, 29, appears in court charged with murdering ‘loving and caring’ vicar’s granddaughter who was found dead on country lane after going on date
- Megan Newborough, 23, from Nuneaton, was found dead on a country lane
- Ross Macullam, 29, from Coalville, has been charged with murdering Megan
- Her parents reported her missing after she failed to return home from a date
A 29-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering a vicar’s granddaughter who was discovered dead after being reported missing from home.
Ross Macullam is accused of killing Megan Newborough, 23, who was found on a country lane near Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, in the early hours of August 8.
The HR advisor, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was reported missing the previous day after she failed to return home following an online date.
Today, Macullam, of Coalville, Leicestershire, appeared before Leicester Crown Court charged with murdering Megan.
Around ten members of Megan’s family filled a row of the public gallery and remained silent during the 20 minute hearing.
They previously paid tribute to their ‘treasured daughter’ who they described as the ‘most generous, loving and caring’ person.
In a statement Megan’s family said she ‘was the most generous, loving and caring person and we have been robbed of our treasured daughter’
In a statement, they said: ‘There are no words to describe how much we as a family are completely heartbroken and devastated.
‘Megan was the most generous, loving and caring person and we have been robbed of our treasured daughter.
‘We are grateful for the support we have received so far but ask that we are allowed to grieve in peace.’
Appearing via video link from prison and wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, Macullam spoke only to confirm his name, age and address, and remained emotionless throughout.
He was not required to enter a plea because his defence barrister had not prepared medical reports.
Megan’s body was discovered on a country road (pictured) near Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, in the early hours of Sunday
Judge Timothy Spencer told the court he was ‘dismayed’ by the delays and set a date for a three-week murder trial on March 7 next year.
‘It is necessary for us to attain those assessments, so I ask for arraignment to be deferred until the middle of November.’
Megan’s parents, Anthony, 53, an accounts manager and Elaine, 50, raised the alarm on Saturday afternoon, August 7, after they were unable to contact Megan.
Locals near the former mining village of Whitwick, Leicestershire say the family from Nuneaton, 25 miles away, used software technology to trace Megan’s phone to a hedgerow.
Her body was discovered in the early hours of Sunday morning, August 8, in a rural lane outside the village of Woodhouse Eaves, six miles from where her mobile was found.
Megan was killed six days before she would have celebrated her 24th birthday.