A JEALOUS ex who brutally murdered his love rival using a samurai sword has been jailed for 30 years.
Michael Bretton, 41, killed Craig Hurcombe using the deadly blade after visiting his workplace in Somerset on January 1, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Michael Bretton who brutally murdered his love rival has been jailed for 30 years Credit: PA
Bretton murdered Craig Hurcombe with a samurai sword then burnt his vehicle Credit: PA
He had become “obsessed” with Kate Saunders, who was dating Craig at the time but had also casually dated Bretton previously.
Bretton insisted his ex’s new partner had fallen and impaled himself on a metal shaft, but the jury returned a unanimous verdict on July 31.
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Kate and Bretton met on an internet dating site but had cut contact after she decided she was not looking for a proper relationship with him.
She then went on to rekindle her relationship with old flame Craig, 39, leaving Bretton “clearly jealous”, the court heard.
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Bretton had dated Kate Saunders briefly before becoming ‘obsessed’ with her Credit: PA
Craig and Kate were frequently stalked by Bretton, who secured GPS trackers to their cars Credit: PA
A post-mortem examination revealed Craig had died from a single stab wound Credit: PA
Bretton said Craig had fallen and impaled himself on a metal shard Credit: PA
After the break-up, Bretton stalked the pair, attaching GPS trackers to their cars and loitering outside Craig’s workplace.
On one occasion he even followed them to a pub, leading to a brawl between him and Craig and prompting police intervention.
The situation escalated after Craig returned to the yard where he worked on New Year’s Eve to discover Bretton had slashed his Audi’s tyres.
Bretton had returned the following day to “confront” Craig before inflicting the fatal wound.
A post-mortem revealed Craig had died from a single stab injury in what prosecutor Mark Cotter KC described as a “premeditated and cold-blooded execution”.
After murdering Craig, Bretton then removed his SIM card and inserted it in his own device, sending messages from his victim.
Kate received the fake texts from Craig, urging her “not to be so hard” on Bretton and telling her to get back together with him.
Craig’s mother later contacted Kate asking about her son’s whereabouts, after his boss reported him missing.
His Honour Judge Hart spoke after the verdict, describing Bretton as a “cowardly and secret assassin“.
“If you read about this case, you would think it is something from a crime novel,” he said.
Addressing Bretton, he said: “You were motivated by jealousy about a refusal to accept that you have been supplanted in her affections.
“It wasn’t love…you took him by surprise. You didn’t give him the slightest chance to live.”
Nicola Hurcombe, Craig’s mother, said: “His loss to us all is beyond measure.
“The fact that someone can murder Craig in such a brutal, horrific manner in the circumstances that have been disclosed to us and send messages to family and friends that have subsequently caused so much pain and distress is so very terrible and upsetting.”
She added that over 210 people attended his funeral, a reflection of how much he was adored.
“It is a testament to the impact that Craig had on so many lives and that his memory will always live on with us all,” she said.
Speaking in his own defence, Bretton told the court Craig had died in a “tragic accident” after falling onto a sharp piece of metal.
He said he panicked after seeing his eyes was “glazed over” and his body was cold.
“With everything that has happened, it doesn’t look the best,” he said.
Bretton was also charged with one count of stalking Kate.
Det Insp Neil Meade from Avon and Somerset Police’s Major Crime Investigations team described the fatal attack as “horrendous”.
He said: “I don’t think you can imagine the fear he must’ve gone through, firstly, being threatened and stabbed with a samurai sword.
“To meet his end in such tragic, scary circumstances – you cannot imagine the fear going through Craig’s mind that night.
“He may not have even seen it was Michael Bretton, but he would’ve no doubt seen the sword.”
“A horrendous set of circumstances and a scary, lonely place to lose your life.”
