Man denies murder of woman found dead in hotel

A man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of a woman who was found dead at a luxury hotel in Surrey.

The body of Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, from Axminster in Devon, was discovered at the Pennyhill Park Hotel, in Bagshot, on 14 April.

James Cartwright, 60, of no fixed address, also pleaded not guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour during a pre-trial hearing at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday.

A trial is scheduled to begin on 25 November.

In a statement previously issued via Surrey Police, Ms Mickleburgh's family said they were "devastated" by the loss of "an incredible mother, beautiful, much cherished daughter, and friend".

Her two children said: “Nothing can prepare you to face the world without your parents at a young age.

"Our mother had been both parents to us since the loss of our father and she was doing such an amazing job at it."

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