Anthony Russell, 39, has been sentenced to a whole-life prison term for the murders of Julie Williams, her son David Williams, and Nicole McGregor, whom he raped while she was five months pregnant. The sentencing took place in his absence at Warwick Crown Court, where a judge described him as 'exceptionally dangerous and manipulative'.
Russell admitted to the murders, which occurred during a week-long spree in October 2020. A jury also found him guilty of rape after a retrial. The court heard that Russell assaulted Ms McGregor hours after she showed him a baby scan image. Mr Justice Wall stated that whole-life orders are reserved for 'exceptionally serious' cases, adding that each death resulted from 'a separate murderous act which was sustained and brutal'.
West Midlands Police revealed that David Williams, 32, was killed due to Russell's mistaken belief that he was in a relationship with his girlfriend. Russell strangled him with a lanyard and left the body under a bed, where it was found with 87 injuries. He then strangled Julie Williams, 58, inflicting 113 injuries. Officers suspect Russell confessed to David's killing and then killed Julie to prevent her from speaking to police.
Nicole McGregor's body was discovered in woodland near Leamington Spa three days after she was strangled. Russell had lured her to the area, and after the murder, he pretended to help her partner search for her. The court heard that Russell, a heroin user, told the baby's father, 'I bet you can't wait for it to be born', despite knowing he had raped and killed her.
Russell refused to attend the sentencing, and attempts to transport him resulted in staff being put in danger. He was arrested after a major manhunt when police found him in a stolen car near Burton-upon-Trent. The judge noted Russell's willingness to use 'very significant violence on anyone'.
