STEPHEN DEVESEY CONVICTED OF MURDERING NICOLE CARTMELL IN BIRMINGHAM

In a case that has shocked the Birmingham community, Stephen Devesey, a man residing in Birmingham, has been found guilty of the brutal murder of his girlfriend, 18-year-old Nicole Cartmell. The tragic events unfolded in early 2011, with Nicole’s body being discovered concealed beneath the lounge floor of Devesey’s home. The discovery was made three weeks after Nicole was reported missing, leaving her family and the local community devastated.

According to court proceedings, Devesey, who was 21 years old at the time of sentencing, committed the act shortly after Nicole made a desperate 999 emergency call from his residence in February 2011. During that call, Nicole appeared frantic and distressed, indicating she was in immediate danger. The court heard that Devesey had asphyxiated Nicole, a crime that shocked everyone who knew her. It was revealed that Nicole had given birth to their son just a month prior to her death, although she was living with her mother in West Bromwich at the time. This added a layer of tragedy to an already heartbreaking case.

Devesey’s trial at Birmingham Crown Court lasted two weeks, culminating in a conviction for her murder. The judge, Mrs Justice Thirlwall, sentenced Devesey to a minimum of 17 years in prison. During her sentencing remarks, she expressed her firm belief that Devesey had intended to kill Nicole, stating, “I am quite sure you intended to kill her. You did not want her to leave you and so you made sure that she did not.”

Further investigations revealed that Devesey had used Nicole’s bank card on four separate occasions after her death, raising suspicions about his motives and actions following her disappearance. The police uncovered her body hidden beneath a loose floorboard in his home, which was covered with clothing, carpets, and blankets. In an attempt to mask the foul smell, incense was burned in the vicinity of her remains, highlighting the extent of Devesey’s efforts to conceal his crime.

Nicole’s family expressed their profound grief and heartbreak following the verdict. They stated, “The verdict, the sentence will never be enough, it will never justify the loss of our beautiful daughter. Her precious baby boy has had his mother taken, an irreplaceable bond's been broken, it’s broken our hearts.”

Devesey’s arrest was initially prompted by suspicions of fraud, which led police to discover Nicole’s belongings at his property. Among the items found were her purse, driving license, and a coat she was seen wearing before her disappearance. These pieces of evidence played a crucial role in building the case against him, ultimately leading to his conviction for her murder.