A man has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 29 years and six months, for killing his former lover’s new partner with a samurai sword. Michael Bretton, 41, from Shaftesbury, Dorset, was found guilty of murdering Craig Hurcombe, 39, in Gurney Slade, Somerset, on January 1. The court heard that Bretton attacked Hurcombe at his workplace, fatally stabbing him with a wound likened to those seen in historical battles.
Following the murder, Bretton tried to destroy Hurcombe’s clothes and body, then buried him in a shallow grave in a nearby forest. Judge William Hart handed down the sentence, describing Bretton as a dangerous individual with an obsessive nature and a self-centered personality.
During the trial, Bretton falsely claimed that Hurcombe had died in an accident, which the judge dismissed as fabrication. The judge also labeled the murder as an assassination, attributing it to Bretton’s jealousy over Hurcombe rekindling his relationship with Kate Saunders, whom Bretton had dated previously.
Bretton had been stalking Hurcombe and monitoring his movements, even fitting a tracking device to the couple’s vehicles. On the night of the murder, Bretton concealed himself at Hurcombe’s workplace, armed with a samurai sword, and carried out the planned attack.
After killing Hurcombe, Bretton disposed of the murder weapon near a river using his mother’s car, which had a tracking system that recorded his movements. The police recovered the sword from the river and confirmed it as the weapon used in the murder.
Hurcombe’s body was discovered days later, and a post-mortem examination revealed that he had died from a single stab wound through his torso. His mother described him as a hard-working and beloved individual, expressing deep sorrow over his tragic death.
In a victim impact statement, Hurcombe’s mother and Saunders condemned Bretton as a heartless murderer, expressing their profound grief and anger over the loss of Hurcombe. Despite serving in the Royal Navy and receiving family support during the trial, Bretton was characterized as a dangerous and manipulative individual by law enforcement officials.
Detective Inspector Neil Meade of Avon and Somerset Police described Bretton’s behavior as deeply disturbing, highlighting the meticulous planning and premeditation behind Hurcombe’s murder. Throughout the investigation, Bretton showed arrogance in evading responsibility and covering his tracks, displaying a chilling disregard for the consequences of his actions.