Four men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 21-year-old Owen Fairclough in Breaston. Owen’s body was discovered in a stream near Risley Lane, having been brutally attacked with stab wounds and a throat slit.
The tragic events unfolded after Owen arranged to meet his friend, Jack Towell, to collect money he was owed. On June 21, 2023, Owen was picked up in a taxi from his home in Long Eaton and taken to Ward Lane in Breaston, where Towell had planned to meet him at the Navigation Inn. Once Owen arrived, Towell directed him to a secluded spot where he and two others—David Oswald and another man, known as Man A—were waiting.
Owen’s lifeless body was discovered by a group of teenagers on June 23, 2023, at around 7:20 pm. Following the discovery, Towell was arrested early the next morning after CCTV and geolocation data linked him to the area. Initially denying his involvement, Towell later pled guilty to murder during a trial at Derby Crown Court.
Oswald, 31, of Birmingham, and Man A, 23, from Long Eaton, were both found guilty of murder after a lengthy trial. Another accomplice, Man B, 28, from Nottinghamshire, was not present at the scene but played a key role in the plot. All four men were sentenced to life imprisonment, with Towell receiving a minimum term of 30 years, Oswald 26 years, Man A 29 years, and Man B 25 years.
Detective Superintendent Leigh Sanders, head of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, praised the complex investigation that led to the convictions. “This murder was one of the largest investigations EMSOU has undertaken,” he said, “and the teamwork involved was vital in bringing these men to justice.”
Detective Staff Investigator Molly Mee, who led the investigation, described the murder as a premeditated attack orchestrated by Towell, who feared that Owen would expose the group’s criminal activities. “Their cold-blooded actions resulted in the unnecessary death of a young man with his whole life ahead of him,” she said, expressing relief that justice had been served.
Owen’s family, who showed immense strength throughout the court proceedings, have been instrumental in supporting the investigation. Detective Sanders acknowledged their resilience, stating that Owen was deeply loved by his family and that his death was senseless, motivated by a desire to cover up illegal activities.
This case highlights the tragic loss of a young life and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violent criminal actions.