Man with 'dead' face tattoo killed friend and dumped him in river

A thug with the word "DEAD" tattooed on his face has admitted to murdering his best friend. Jack Towell, 22, pleaded guilty to killing Owen Fairclough, 21, who was found dumped in a stream with his throat slit and stab wounds to his body.

A group of teenagers made the grim discovery and found Owen's body in the water near a path in Breaston, Derbyshire, at around 7.20pm on June 23 last year. A court heard Owen had been lured to the area after arranging to meet his friend Towell to collect some money he was owed.

Owen got a taxi from his home in Long Eaton to the Navigation Inn pub, where he had agreed to meet Towell at around 11pm on June 21 But when he arrived at the scene, he called Towell, who then directed him to the secluded area nearby.

Two other men – David Oswald, 31, and a man who cannot be named for legal reasons – were also waiting and Owen was subjected to a brutal attack. Jurors were told the group had hatched a plan to kill Owen, believing he was about to report their drug dealing to the police.

Towell, of Nottingham, was arrested at 1.42am on June 24 after CCTV and geolocation placed him in the area at the time of Owen’s murder. He denied murder but changed his plea to guilty part way through a trial at Derby Crown Court.

Oswald, of Birmingham city centre, and a 23-year-old man known as Man A, from Long Eaton, were also at the scene of the murder. Man B, 28, from Nottinghamshire – who also can’t be named for legal reasons - was not present on the night but was involved with the planning of the murder.

All three were charged with Owen’s murder. They denied the charges but were found guilty after a trial at Derby Crown Court.

Towell was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years while Oswald must serve a minimum of 26 years. Man A was ordered to serve a minimum of 29 years and Man B must serve a minimum of 25 years.

On Monday Derbyshire Police released Towell's mug shot showing the word "DEAD" inked on his face alongside a tattoo on his other cheek of a broken heart.

Detective Superintendent Leigh Sanders, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), said: “This murder was one of the largest investigations that EMSOU have investigated – and among the most complex I have had to deal with in my time as a detective.

“As is always the case with investigations of this nature there are dozens of people involved – and they all played a part in bringing these men to justice. The team, led by Superintendent Matt Croome, worked round the clock to arrest and charge those responsible – and get justice for Owen’s family.

“As well as Superintendent Croome, I also want to commend the work of Detective Staff Investigator Molly Mee the officer in the case – as well as Detective Sergeant Craig Yates who supervised the investigation. I also want to thank Owen’s family for the manner in which they supported the investigation and the strength and dignity that they have shown through the court process.

“Owen was clearly a much loved son – who died for no other reason than to protect the criminality of a group who thought nothing of luring a young man to his death.”

Detective Staff Investigator Molly Mee, who led the investigation, said: “This was a pre-planned and callous attack organised by Towell after he became convinced that Owen was about to inform police of the group’s drug dealing exploits.

“Towell recruited Oswald and these other two men as part of his plan and the group then lay in wait for Owen, ready to kill him in the most horrific way. Their calculated actions led to the needless death of a young man who had his whole life ahead of him.

“The fact they carried on just drinking and taking drugs in the days after killing Owen speaks volumes about their characters. I am pleased they have now all been convicted for their part in this awful crime and will be behind bars for many years to come.”