Trio jailed after man is beaten to death in Rowley Regis

Carl Woodall, aged 44, died after sustaining catastrophic injuries during the early hours of 28 June last year.

Mr Woodall, who was known to his family and friends as ‘Burt’, was a father of five.

He’d spent the Sunday afternoon before his death with his ex-partner and their three children. They had lunch before he returned to the static caravan he lived in at the unit he rented on Doulton Trading Estate in Rowley Regis.

At just after 1.16am on Monday 28 June, CCTV cameras captured a Nissan Qashqai moving along Doulton Road shortly before it was seen parking inside the trading estate.

The car was being driven by James McGhee alongside passengers Simmion Goldbourne and Mark Campbell.

Shortly after the trio were captured on CCTV approaching Carl’s unit on foot. 

Over the next 30 minutes they were seen going to and from the unit, and at around 2am Mark Campbell and Simmion Goldbourne managed to get inside the perimeter fence. James McGhee was seen on his own outside the fence and is thought to have returned to his car.

Just over two hours later, at 4.13am, Simmion Goldbourne and Mark Campbell were seen emerging from the unit, one carrying a bag and the other a box. They ran back to James McGhee who was waiting for them in the car. Seconds later they all drove off.

From L-R: James McGhee, Mark Campbell, Simmion Goldbourne

Carl had been stripped naked and beaten to death, using at least three weapons in the sustained attack. During the post mortem, the pathologist identified over 140 separate injuries, including a traumatic brain injury which would have contributed to his death. Sadly, due to the defensive nature of some injuries, it’s thought Carl was conscious during part of the attack.

A detailed sequence of events was put together and presented to the jury. It included how there was a connection between Carl’s stepsons and Mark Campbell as well as details of the forensic evidence we obtained.

Following a three week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court Mark Campbell, aged 39, from Glaisdale Drive East, Nottingham was found guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 36 years.

Simmion Goldbourne, aged 28, from Glamis Road, Nottingham was found guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 36 years.

James McGhee, aged 28, from Stanstead Avenue, Nottingham was found guilty of manslaughter and not guilty of murder. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Detective Inspector Hannah Whitehouse, from our homicide team, said: “My thoughts are with Carl’s family. He died in horrific circumstances and I cannot imagine how painful their loss is”.

Carl’s family said: “Carl was a quiet, hard-working man who loved his family and children. He kept himself to himself and did not deserve to die in such horrific circumstances.

“Carl’s family and friends are heartbroken about what has happened to such a kind, caring person. His life has been needlessly taken away from everyone who loves him.

“We will never know why Carl was targeted in such a senseless way. He will always be in our hearts and will forever be missed”.