Brutal murder in Derbyshire: Four men behind bars for Fairclough's death!

Brutal murder in Derbyshire: Four men behind bars for Fairclough's death!

On May 30, 2025, it was announced that the court had convicted the perpetrators of the brutal murder of Owen Fairclough. Luke Hibbert, 23, from Risley, Derbyshire, and Jason Hill, 29, from Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, were found guilty along with two other men. This conviction became possible after a judge approved reporting on the case following previous legal restrictions. Fairclough's body, found near Risley Lane in Breaston in June 2023, bears the marks of a dastardly crime.

The court found that Fairclough, who was 21, was involved in a larger-than-life conflict that resulted in his violent death. In November 2024, the four men were convicted of Fairclough's murder. His death was described as "brutal and cold-blooded", leaving him with a slit throat and two stab wounds to the chest. The circumstances of his murder were perceived as extremely frightening.

The background to the murder

The two main perpetrators, Jack Towell (22) from Nottingham and David Oswald (31) from Birmingham, had hatched a plan to kill Fairclough. They were convinced he could inform the police about their drug activities. Towell, who had been friends with Fairclough in the past, misled his family about his whereabouts and offered a reward for information.

Fairclough was lured to a secluded location after contacting Towell at the Navigation Inn in Risley Lane to receive £1,000. During the crime, Towell and the other men waited nearby and put their plan into action. The cruel act was not without consequences: After the murder, the men went drinking and used drugs. The period after the crime revealed not only their unrestrained nature, but also the coldness with which they acted.

Sentencing and social implications

The convictions were handed down by the court under strict conditions. Towell received a minimum sentence of 30 years, while Oswald faces 26 years, Hill 29 years and Hibbert 25 years behind bars. These penalties reflect the serious nature of the crime and the threat that drug crime poses to society.

According to a recent study, 9.5% of 16 to 59 year olds in England and Wales report drug use in the last 12 months. For 16 to 24 year olds this figure is as high as 17.6%. The data also shows that cannabis remains the most commonly used drug. Against this backdrop, it is becoming increasingly clear that drug trafficking and drug use is a complex problem in British society.

The Owen Fairclough tragedy is a shocking example of how drug-related conflicts can lead to violence and death. The circumstances of his murder and the subsequent convictions shine a stark light on the dangers posed by a culture of drug trafficking and associated crime.