A man has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 29 years and six months for murdering his former partner’s new boyfriend using a samurai sword. Michael Bretton, 41, from Shaftesbury, Dorset, was found guilty by a unanimous jury of killing Craig Hurcombe, 39, in Gurney Slade, Somerset, on January 1. During the trial at Bristol Crown Court, it was revealed that Bretton ambushed Hurcombe at his workplace and fatally stabbed him, causing an injury akin to that seen in historical battles.
Following the murder, Bretton tried to burn Hurcombe’s belongings and body, then buried him in a shallow grave in a nearby forest. The judge, William Hart, condemned Bretton’s actions and dismissed his fabricated claims of Hurcombe dying in an accident. Hart described Bretton as a dangerous individual with an obsessive personality, showing no remorse for his actions.
The court heard that Bretton’s crime was fueled by jealousy after Hurcombe’s partner, Kate Saunders, rekindled her relationship with him. Bretton, who had previously dated Saunders, resorted to stalking Hurcombe, even tracking their movements by placing a tracker on their vehicles. On the night of the murder, Bretton concealed himself at Hurcombe’s workplace, Blanchard’s yard, armed with a samurai sword, intending to carry out the premeditated attack.
After fatally stabbing Hurcombe, Bretton disposed of the murder weapon in a river using his mother’s car, unaware that the vehicle had a tracking system that recorded his movements. Police recovered the sword near the River Stour, confirming it as the weapon used in the murder. Hurcombe’s body was found days later, leading to Bretton’s arrest and subsequent conviction.
In a statement, Hurcombe’s mother expressed her devastation at the loss of her son, describing him as a hard-working and beloved individual. She condemned Bretton as a heartless murderer, echoing the sentiments of Saunders, who described her grief as profound and lasting. Bretton, a former Royal Navy officer, received no leniency from the court, with Detective Inspector Neil Meade labeling him as one of the most dangerous criminals encountered in his career.
The court’s decision to convict Bretton and impose a lengthy prison sentence reflects the severity of his actions and the tragic consequences of his jealousy-fueled crime.