SHOCKING MURDER OF TEENAGE STUDENT BY MICHAEL RAMSELL IN WHITWICK

In a tragic and disturbing case that has shocked the community of Whitwick, Leicester, a young woman’s life was brutally taken by Michael Ramsell, a 20-year-old swimming instructor. The incident occurred in March of last year, leaving a trail of grief and outrage in its wake.

Rebecca Groves, a 17-year-old student who was training to become a beautician at Coalville’s Stephenson College, was walking home from a birthday celebration at the Hare and Hounds pub near her residence in Thringstone when her life was tragically cut short. The evening had been a typical social outing, with Rebecca attending her friend's 40th birthday party, enjoying the company of friends and celebrating into the night.

Ramsell, who resided on Brooks Lane in Whitwick, was also present at the same pub that evening. Witnesses reported seeing him shouting encouragement at a stripper during the event, indicating he was part of the lively crowd that gathered there. The night took a dark turn after the party, when Ramsell allegedly lured Rebecca away under the pretense of offering her a lift home. What was supposed to be a simple act of kindness turned into a scene of violence and horror.

According to court proceedings, Ramsell claimed to police that he had gone outside with Rebecca and engaged in unprotected sex at her suggestion. However, this account was quickly dismissed by the prosecution, with evidence indicating that Ramsell had lied about the nature of their encounter. The court was told that Rebecca had been saving her first sexual experience for a meaningful relationship, which she had not yet entered into.

Further evidence revealed that Ramsell had attacked Rebecca after offering her a lift. He reportedly subdued her by placing his arm around her neck, leading to her losing consciousness. The assault was so severe that Rebecca was asphyxiated, and there was evidence suggesting she had been raped either as she passed out or at the moment of her death. Her body was discovered the following morning near her home by her stepfather, a heartbreaking discovery that underscored the brutality of the crime.

During the court hearing, Mr. Justice Astill condemned Ramsell’s actions, stating, “Your brutality has deprived a wonderful and trusting young woman of her right to live.” The judge emphasized the heinous nature of the crime, highlighting that Ramsell’s actions were driven by a sexual and beastly appetite. Ramsell pleaded guilty to the murder at a hearing last month, and the court sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Defense counsel James Hunt QC acknowledged that Ramsell had not initially admitted to the police that he committed the murder but revealed that Ramsell later confessed to an officer while in custody, claiming he could not remember the details of what had transpired. Ramsell maintained throughout that Rebecca had consented to sex, a claim strongly contested by the prosecution.

Following the sentencing, Detective Superintendent Graham Thomas read a statement from Rebecca’s family, expressing their grief and the irreversible loss they had suffered. “No matter what sentence is handed out to her killer, nothing can bring her back,” he said. “Ramsell is a brutal and evil man. There is no celebration here today, but justice has been done.”

The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Whitwick, serving as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of justice for victims of such heinous crimes.