In a frenzied attack in her home, James McCarthy, murdered Julie Semper by strangling her and stabbing her 13 times.
McCarthy and 47-year-old Julie had been in a casual relationship. He visited her visited her on January 30 at her home in Mapperley Park and after drinking together, they got into an argument. Julie said she didn’t trust him.
McCarthy reacted by hitting, choking and stabbing the teacher 13 times. He then stayed in the flat for several hours before contacting a friend on Facebook to ask for a lift home.
Five days later a friend, who had become concerned for Julie when she had not shown up to work at Bilborough College, went to her home on Magdala Road where she discovered her body.
McCarthy, who is 25 and from Calverton, pleaded guilty to the murder at a hearing in June and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (October 12) to a minimum of 21 years for Julie’s murder.
Dangerous and evil
Det Sup Simon Firth Notts Police said: “James McCarthy is an extremely dangerous and, frankly, evil individual who mercilessly killed a defenceless woman who had been both a friend and a partner to him.
McCarthy will thankfully spend a very long time in prison.
“Julie’s death has left her family, in her particular her young daughter, devastated and utterly bereft. McCarthy will, thankfully, spend a very long time in prison.”
McCarthy will spend a further 8 years for the attempted murder of an inmate in June, who he strangled and stamped on whilst on remand for Julie’s murder.
The inmate did not die but was left in a coma for several weeks.
McCarthy will serve a total of 28 years before being considered for parole.
