Four men jailed for life for murder of 21-year-old man

Four men have been jailed for life for the murder of a 21-year-old man in Breaston.

The body of Owen Fairclough was found in a stream near a path off Risley Lane. He had been lured to the area after arranging to meet his friend Jack Towell to collect some money he was owed.

At just after 11pm on 21st June 2023, he was picked up in a taxi from his home address in Long Eaton and taken to Ward Lane, Breaston, having arranged to meet Towell at the Navigation Inn in Risley Lane.

When he arrived at the scene, he called Towell, who then directed him to the secluded area where he and two other men – David Oswald and a man who can’t be named for legal reasons – were waiting.

Owen’s body was found by a group of teenagers at just after 7:20pm on 23rd June.

Towell was arrested at 1:42am on 24th June with CCTV and geolocation showing him in the area at the time of Owen’s murder.

The 22-year-old, of Castle Boulevard, Nottingham, was subsequently charged with murder. He denied the offence but changed his plea to guilty part way through a trial at Derby Crown Court.

David Oswald, 31, of Granville Square, Birmingham and another man known as Man A, 23, from the Long Eaton area were at the scene of the murder. Man B, 28, from Nottinghamshire – who also can’t be named for legal reasons - was not present on the night but was involved with the planning of the murder.

All three were charged with Owen’s murder. They denied the charges but were found guilty after a trial at Derby Crown Court.

They have all now been sentenced to life imprisonment. Towell was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years while Oswald must serve a minimum of 26 years. Man A was ordered to serve a minimum of 29 years and Man B must serve a minimum of 25 years.

Detective Superintendent Leigh Sanders, who leads the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) – the regional team that investigates murders across the East Midlands, said: “This murder was one of the largest investigations that EMSOU have investigated – and among the most complex I have had to deal with in my time as a detective.

“As is always the case with investigations of this nature there are dozens of people involved – and they all played a part in bringing these men to justice.

“The team, led by Superintendent Matt Croome, worked round the clock to arrest and charge those responsible – and get justice for Owen’s family.

“As well as Superintendent Croome, I also want to commend the work of Detective Staff Investigator Molly Mee the officer in the case – as well as Detective Sergeant Craig Yates who supervised the investigation and Detective Constable Emma Barnes-Marriott who was a key part of the investigation team.

“I also want to thank Owen’s family for the manner in which they supported the investigation and the strength and dignity that they have shown through the court process.

“Owen was clearly a much loved son – who died for no other reason than to protect the criminality of a group who thought nothing of luring a young man to his death.”

Detective Staff Investigator Molly Mee, who led the investigation, said: “This was a pre-planned and callous attack organised by Towell after he became convinced that Owen was about to inform police of the group’s drug dealing exploits.

“Towell recruited Oswald and these other two men as part of his plan and the group then lay in wait for Owen, ready to kill him in the most horrific way.

“Their calculated actions led to the needless death of a young man who had his whole life ahead of him.

“The fact they carried on just drinking and taking drugs in the days after killing Owen speaks volumes about their characters.

“I am pleased they have now all been convicted for their part in this awful crime and will be behind bars for many years to come.”