Michael Bretton, 41, of Armoury Yard, Shaftesbury, has been jailed for life for the murder of lorry driver Craig Hurcombe. He was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 31 July and must serve a minimum of 29 and a half years, minus time already spent on remand.
The court heard that Bretton, described as possessive and "obsessed" with his former partner, used "various methods" to locate and monitor both Craig and Kate Saunders during December 2025. An "ongoing escalation" in his behaviour led to Bretton tracking Craig from a property in North Somerset to a yard in Gurney Slade at around 6.20pm on 1 January.
Killing and Cover-Up
At the yard, Bretton attacked Craig with a samurai sword, inflicting a "single fatal stab wound to his torso". He then tried to burn Craig's clothing and buried the body in a shallow grave within a small wooded area on the site. Craig, 39, was a lorry driver.
Police later established that Craig and Kate had been in a relationship from 2017 to 2023. In 2025, Bretton met Kate through a dating site and, after a brief casual liaison, she stopped contact with him. Bretton wanted the relationship to progress to a more formal "boyfriend and girlfriend" status, so after Kate ended it, he began stalking both her and Craig, monitoring her movements to and from her residence and lingering near Craig's workplace.
GPS Tracking and Escalation
Bretton bought two GPS tracking devices online and secretly placed them on vehicles belonging to Kate and Craig to follow their whereabouts. The stalking turned "more sinister" on New Year's Eve when Craig returned to the yard and found the tyres on his Audi had been punctured.
Vehicle data confirmed Bretton was in Pound Lane when Craig arrived at the yard on 1 January. CCTV showed Craig's final appearance after reaching the yard, and later captured Bretton there following the murder. Bretton then retrieved the tracking device from Craig's vehicle, drove the Audi to nearby Galley Batch Lane and set it on fire.
Afterwards, Bretton went to an area close to the River Stour carrying the tracking device removed from Craig's Audi. Police divers searched the water and recovered a corroded sword believed to be the weapon used in the killing. After the murder, Bretton also used Craig's mobile phone to respond to messages while impersonating him, creating the illusion that Craig was still alive for several days.
Investigation and Trial
On Saturday 10 January, Craig's mother, Nicola Hurcombe, reported him missing to Wiltshire Police. Within two days, officers had identified his last-known whereabouts at the yard. The case was handed to Avon and Somerset Police, and Craig's body was recovered on Wednesday 14 January.
Pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery, who carried out a post-mortem examination, concluded that Craig died from a single lengthy stab injury which penetrated through his torso. During the trial, Bretton's defence said Craig had "slipped" while climbing into his lorry and fallen onto "a metal shaft". Bretton admitted following Craig to confront him and burying his body, but claimed the death was accidental. The jury rejected his account and convicted him of murder.
Family and Detective Tributes
Craig's parents, Nicola and Paul, paid tribute, 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."
The family said Craig is deeply missed by everyone who knew him, including his siblings Ashley, Laura, Jess, and niece Skye, along with a wide circle of friends.
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."
Meade added: "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."
