A man obsessed with his former partner has been sentenced to life imprisonment after murdering her new boyfriend.
Michael Bretton, 41, from Armoury Yard in Shaftesbury, was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of murdering Craig Hurcombe, a 39-year-old lorry driver. He is to serve a minimum of 29-and-a-half years, with time served on remand deducted.
The court heard how Bretton engaged in a sustained campaign of stalking and harassment directed at Craig Hurcombe and Kate Saunders, his ex-partner. Following the end of a brief relationship with Kate in 2025, Bretton employed multiple methods to monitor the couple, including fitting GPS trackers to their cars and loitering near their homes and workplaces.
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His behaviour escalated over several weeks, culminating in the murder on 1 January at a yard in Gurney Slade, North Somerset. Bretton fatally stabbed Craig once in the torso with a samurai sword, then attempted to conceal the crime by burning clothing and burying the body in a shallow grave nearby.
Police investigations revealed that Bretton, who was nearby at the time, also punctured the tyres of Craig’s vehicle on New Year’s Eve. After the murder, he used Craig’s phone to send messages to give the impression he was still alive.
The victim’s family paid tribute, describing Craig as “the perfect son and an independent man” who was well regarded by friends and colleagues alike.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Neil Meade said:
“Bretton is one of the most dangerous individuals I have ever dealt with. His stalking, his controlling behaviour, and the lengths he went to conceal his crime were deeply disturbing.
The jury rightly rejected his implausible claim that Craig’s death was accidental and delivered a verdict that brings justice for his family.”
The court’s decision offers a measure of closure following the tragic loss of a well-loved son, brother, and uncle.