A man is on trial accused of the 'cold-blooded execution' of his partner's former lover using a samurai sword, a court has been told. Michael Bretton, 41, from Dorset, is charged with the murder of Craig Hurcombe, 39, from Devizes, Wiltshire, and one count of stalking involving fear of violence against a woman. Mr Bretton denies all charges.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Mr Bretton had been in a casual relationship with Kate Saunders, which he allegedly wished to formalise. However, Ms Saunders reportedly ended contact with him and rekindled a previous relationship with Mr Hurcombe, a lorry driver. Prosecutor Mark Cotter KC told the jury that Mr Hurcombe was killed at his workplace in Somerset, describing the act as a 'pre-meditated and cold-blooded execution, carried out with the use of a sword'.
It is alleged that following Ms Saunders' decision, Mr Bretton began stalking both her and Mr Hurcombe, even fitting trackers to their vehicles. Mr Cotter KC stated that Mr Bretton was 'obsessed with Kate Saunders and was clearly jealous of her renewed relationship with Craig Hurcombe'. The court was informed that Mr Hurcombe was last seen alive on CCTV at Blanchard's yard in Gurney Slade, Somerset, on the evening of New Year's Day 2026.
Mr Hurcombe was reported missing by his mother on 10 January 2026, and his body was discovered in a shallow grave in woodland at his work site four days later, on 14 January 2026. Pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery, who conducted the post-mortem examination, concluded that Mr Hurcombe died from a single, lengthy stab injury that penetrated through his torso. A samurai sword, believed to be the weapon used, was recovered from the River Stour near Sturminster Newton in recent weeks, showing signs of rust from its time in the water.
Mr Bretton was arrested on 12 January 2026 and, during police questioning, gave a no-comment interview, beyond denying any wrongdoing. The prosecution anticipates that Mr Bretton will claim Mr Hurcombe's death was an accident, rather than a deliberate attack with a blade. The trial is currently ongoing at Bristol Crown Court.