Restrictions lifted for men convicted of murder

Two men jailed for the murder of a 21-year-old man on a country lane in Derbyshire can now be named after reporting restrictions were lifted by a judge.

It can now be reported Luke Hibbert, 23, of Risley, Derbyshire and Jason Hill, 29, of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, were convicted and sentenced for murder alongside two others back in November 2024 after Owen Fairclough's body was discovered near Risley Lane in Breaston in June 2023.

Both Hill and Hibbert could not be named at the time due to their involvement in other trials at Nottingham Crown Court which concluded this week.

Judge Gregory Dickinson KC said the four men planned the "brutal and cold-blooded murder" together.

"Prime mover" Jack Towell, 22, of Castle Boulevard in Nottingham and David Oswald, 31, of Granville Square in Birmingham were also convicted of murder alongside Hill and Hibbert. All four were handed life sentences.

A jury was told Mr Fairclough's throat was cut and he had two stab wounds to his chest.

The court heard Towell and the victim had been "very good friends" and were aware of "each other's criminal activity".

Towell "became convinced" Mr Fairclough was going to inform on him to the police and implicate others in their criminal activity - namely drug dealing.

Mr Fairclough had been lured to the area after arranging to meet Towell at the Navigation Inn, in Risley Lane, to collect some money he was owed - thought to be £1,000.

When he arrived, he called Towell, who then directed him to the secluded area where he and two other defendants were waiting.

Mr Fairclough's body was found by a group of teenagers two days later.

The court heard Towell had "deceived and lied" to Mr Fairclough's family, denying knowledge of his whereabouts and telling them he would offer a reward for whoever found him.

The judge added the men went drinking and took drugs following the murder.

Towell, who pleaded guilty during the trial, will serve 30 years before being eligible for parole.

Oswald, who was found guilty by all members of the jury, will serve a minimum of 26 years.

Hill, was also found guilty through a unanimous verdict and will serve 29 years before being eligible for parole.

Hibbert, was found guilty by 10 of the 12 jurors in a majority verdict and will serve a minimum term of 25 years behind bars.

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