JOSEPH TREVOR SENTENCED FOR MURDER AND RAPE IN NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME AND STOKE

A young man from Staffordshire has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of a brutal murder and sexual assault that shocked the local community. Joseph Trevor, aged 19, was sentenced on February 17 at Stafford Crown Court following his admission to the heinous crimes committed against Megan Newton, an 18-year-old aspiring footballer and coach, in her home in Stoke.

Trevor, who resides on Danebower Road in Trentham, was found guilty of killing and raping Megan Newton on April 19, 2019. The court heard that Megan, a former school friend of Trevor, had kindly offered him a place to stay after a night out in Newcastle-under-Lyme. This act of kindness tragically turned into a nightmare when Trevor attacked her at her residence on Fletcher Road.

According to court proceedings, Megan had met Trevor earlier that evening at the Kiln nightclub in Newcastle-under-Lyme. After their encounter, Trevor, who had been stopped by police earlier on suspicion of drug offenses and was anxious about returning to his parents’ home, expressed concern about his situation. Megan, understanding and compassionate, offered him a place to stay at her flat. The two then took a taxi back to her address.

During the course of the night, Trevor committed a series of violent acts. The court revealed that he raped Megan during the assault. Following this, he inflicted multiple stab wounds—nine in total—by stabbing her in the back and applying pressure to her neck, ultimately causing her death. The attack was described as sustained and brutal, with Megan suffering fatal injuries from the stab wounds and strangulation.

After the assault, Trevor left Megan’s flat and was later found by police sitting on a bridge. At that time, he was unaware of the full extent of his actions and was concerned for his own safety. Officers took him to a safe location, where he was later collected by family members and taken home. It was only later that day that Megan’s body was discovered by a neighbor, who found her keys covered in blood nearby—keys that had been dropped by Trevor during his escape.

Following the discovery, Trevor confided in his family, admitting that he had “done something bad.” He was subsequently arrested after being treated at a hospital. The investigation revealed the full extent of his violence and the tragic loss of Megan’s promising life.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Cheryl Hannan, described the attack as “sustained and violent,” emphasizing that Megan had offered Trevor kindness in her time of need. She stated, “Trevor carried out a brutal assault on Megan. She had kindly offered him a place to stay overnight because he had taken drugs and had been stopped by police and was worried about returning home. In return, he attacked and killed her and left her lying in her own bed while he let himself out and told no-one what he had done.”

Megan’s family expressed their profound grief and heartbreak over her loss. They said, “The loss of Meg is unbearable. We’re heartbroken and will always remain so. That will never leave us. Meg’s life enriched the lives of so many, and because of that, she’ll never be forgotten and she’ll be loved forever. Our beautiful Megan didn’t deserve any of this. But she does deserve to now rest in peace.”

Judge Michael Chambers QC delivered the sentence, describing the crime as “brutal and sustained,” and condemned Trevor’s actions as “callous.” He stated, “This remains a brutal and sustained attack committed in a most callous way in her own home. Megan Newton had her whole life before her. She had all the hopes and dreams of an 18-year-old.”

Joseph Trevor was sentenced to a total of 21 years and 65 days in prison. Additionally, he received an eight-year sentence for two counts of rape, which will run concurrently with his primary sentence, ensuring he remains incarcerated for a significant period due to the severity of his crimes.