Man jailed for murder of Wiltshire man in Somerset
Michael Bretton, 41, from Dorset is believed to have used a samurai sword to kill Craig Hurcombe
Last updated 31st Jul 2026
A man has been jailed for more than 29 years after murdering his former lover's new partner in Somerset.
Michael Bretton, 41, of Shaftesbury, Dorset, was found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court today (31 July) of the murder of 39-year-old Craig Hurcombe from Wiltshire.
He has now been sentenced to life imprisonment, and will serve a minimum term 29-and-a-half years, minus the time he served on remand ahead of his trial.
Bretton is believed to have used a samurai sword to kill Craig on the evening of New Year's day (1 January 2025) at a Blanchard’s Yard in Roemead Road, Gurney Slade where Craig worked as a lorry driver.
After the murder, Bretton attempted to burn Mr Hurcombe’s clothes and body before burying him in a shallow grave in nearby woodland.
The court heard Mr Hurcombe, had been in a relationship with a woman named Kate Saunders, which ended in 2023.
Bretton had met Kate Saunders, through an internet dating site in 2025.
When their casual relationship ended, and Kate and Craig rekindled their relationship Bretton started stalking them both.
The Investigation
The investigation led by Avon and Somerset's Major Crime Investigation team, found Bretton used various methods to track and monitor the couple, including fitting GPS trackers to their cars.
On New Year’s Eve, Craig returned to the yard to find his Audi tyres punctured, an act believed to have been committed by Bretton.
Vehicle data placed Bretton nearby in Pound Lane at the time Craig arrived at the yard on 1 January.
Alongside this data, detectives captured the last sighting of Craig on CCTV after he arrived back at the yard. The same cameras then picked up Bretton at the site slightly later, after he had killed Craig.
Bretton went on to remove the tracking device from Craig’s car, before driving the Audi out of the yard and setting fire to it in the nearby Galley Batch Lane.
He then removed the tracking device from Craig’s car, before driving the Audi out of the yard and setting fire to it in the nearby Galley Batch Lane.
In an attempt to conceal his crimes, Bretton drove to an area near the River Stour, carrying the tracking device he had taken from Craig’s Audi.
After in depth-data investigation, officers visited the area where Bretton had stopped and police divers also entered the water, discovering a rusty sword which police believe was likely used to murder Craig.
After leaving the scene, Bretton used Mr Hurcombe’s phone and responded to messages pretending to be him, giving the false impression that he was alive and well for several days.
Nicola Hurcombe, Craig’s mum, reported him missing to Wiltshire Police on Saturday 10 January and a missing person investigation was launched.
Wiltshire Police conducted extensive enquiries and, within a two-day period, had evidence placing Craig’s last known whereabouts at the yard.
The case was then transferred to Avon and Somerset Police where further enquiries were carried out to locate Craig.
Just two days later, on Wednesday 14 January, after several days of excavation work, Craig’s body was recovered.
Trial and Verdict
During the trial, Bretton claimed Craig had accidentally died after slipping onto a metal shaft while getting into his lorry.
He told the court he followed Craig to his place of work to confront him and he buried his body after his accidental death.
However, the jury rejected his account and found him unanimously guilty of craig's murder.
Following his death, Craig’s mum, Nicola, and dad, Paul, issued a tribute to him on behalf of the family, saying: “Craig was the perfect son and an independent man, and we are living with unimaginable loss and a huge hole in our lives which we will never come to terms with.
“Craig was very hardworking, ambitious, and very well thought of in his circle of work, especially his boss, who has expressed his gratitude for all Craig did for the company.”
Following today’s verdict, they added Craig is hugely missed by his whole family, including his siblings Ashley, Laura, Jess, and niece Skye, as well as the large group of friends he would regularly spend time with.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Neil Meade said: “From the outset of this investigation, our sole aim was to secure justice for Craig and his family. Craig was a much-loved son, brother and uncle, and his family are now having to come to terms with a future no longer filled with his smile, his kindness and his love.
“Bretton is one of the most dangerous individuals I have ever dealt with. His behaviour, including the stalking of Kate and the extraordinary lengths he went to in order to control and influence both Craig and Kate’s lives, was deeply disturbing.
“The level of planning and premeditation behind Craig’s murder was horrific. Throughout the investigation, Bretton appeared almost arrogant in the extensive measures he took to cover his tracks and evade responsibility.
“His claim that Craig simply ‘fell’ onto a metal shaft is utterly implausible, and I am grateful the jury saw through his lies and delivered a verdict that hopefully brings some measure of justice and closure to Craig’s family and friends.
“They have had to endure hearing and witnessing the details of Craig’s final moments, while also navigating the immense grief of losing someone they loved so dearly. I hope today’s outcome allows them to begin moving forward, knowing the person responsible has been held accountable.”
Lucy Coleman of the Crown Prosecution Service said:
“Bretton killed Craig Hurcombe in a pre-meditated and cold-blooded execution.
"He then attempted to cover his tracks, burning Craig’s body, clothes and car, burying his body, and sending messages to make it look like Craig was alive. In doing so, he no doubt sought to frustrate the search for Craig and destroy any useful forensic evidence.
“When the evidence of his involvement in Craig’s death became overwhelming, Bretton created the lie that Craig had died in an accident, and he had panicked and hid the body. The jury saw through this lie, and convicted him of Craig’s murder.
“This case is a shocking example of the way in which stalking behaviour can escalate in seriousness and place victims at risk of physical harm.
“My thoughts remain with Craig’s family and friends as they continue to live with their tragic loss.”