Ipswich teenager jailed for 14 years for Christmas Day murder of Billy McNicholl
Jake McMillan claimed he'd found Billy dead, but the judge said that things like throwing Billy's mobile phone in the River Orwell proved that wasn't the case
Last updated 5 hours ago
An Ipswich teenager has been jailed for 14 years for the murder of 63-year-old William McNicholl, known as Billy, on Christmas Day 2024.
Jake McMillan was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court today.
McMillan, now 19, was also convicted of involvement in the supply of cannabis
Mark Hughes, Detective Inspector at Suffolk Police, spoke outside court after the sentencing:
Case background
The jury heard that McMillan and Billy were acquainted, with Jake frequently supplying drugs to Billy.
Billy was discovered dead at his home in Hawthorn Drive on New Year's Day 2025 after concerned calls from friends and neighbours prompted the police to come out.
The cause of death, determined by post-mortem examination, was head injuries and a single stab wound.
In January 2025, McMillan was initially arrested as a 17-year-old and later re-arrested in July upon reaching the age of 18.
During the trial, evidence, including CCTV footage showing Jake outside Billy’s home, fingerprints, DNA, and footprints, linked him conclusively to the crime scene.
Claims made by Jake about discovering Billy's body when he turned up to his property were undermined by his actions, such as disposing of Billy's mobile phone in the River Orwell.
Today, the judge also said the injuries, a fractured cheekbone and a large stab wound through the shoulder, are 'not the actions of a young man who stumbled across a body.'
'This was not a momentary loss of control or a single blow. The evidence supports an intention to kill '
Words from Billy's family
Deborah McNicholl, Billy's sister, expressed her devastation, detailing the impact of her brother's murder on her life and her family.
She described her brother as having a good sense of humour and being kind despite not being "an angel," acknowledging his difficult childhood after the loss of their father.
Jake McMillan's defence
Jake's defence mentioned his experiences of depression, isolation, and psychological issues, backed by a psychiatric report, although these claims did not meet the threshold to affect sentencing.
He faced an additional seven-month sentence for involvement with class B drugs, which will be served concurrently.
In court, the judge acknowledged the absence of premeditation but noted the sustained and brutal nature of the attack, emphasising the lack of defensive injuries on Billy and significant aggravating factors.
William's family expressed gratitude towards Suffolk Constabulary for their efforts during the investigation, hoping the conviction offers some dignity and peace to Billy.
Detective Inspector Mark Hughes commented on the impact of the crime, calling it a "truly awful case."