A decorated former Royal Marine's double life unraveled in dramatic fashion when police discovered him crouched in bushes, armed with a terrifying arsenal and plotting the cold-blooded murder of his secret lover's husband.
Matthew Alexander, 39, once respected for his military service, had descended into a world of obsession and deadly intention. His illicit affair with Cheltenham woman Katie O'Connor had taken a sinister turn when he decided the only solution was to eliminate her husband, Michael O'Connor.
The Bushes Stakeout
In a scene straight from a crime thriller, Alexander positioned himself in shrubbery near the O'Connor family home, equipped with chilling precision. Police responding to a concerned call found him armed with:
- A vicious Rambo-style hunting knife
- Brass knuckles designed for maximum damage
- A black balaclava to conceal his identity
- Disposable gloves to avoid forensic detection
"This wasn't some spontaneous act of passion," noted Detective Inspector James Harrison. "The equipment and planning showed clear, cold-blooded intent to end a man's life."
A Web of Deception Unravels
The investigation revealed Alexander had been conducting a clandestine relationship with Katie O'Connor for months, all while maintaining appearances as an upstanding former military man. Text messages exposed their affair and Alexander's growing obsession with removing Michael from the picture permanently.
Gloucestershire Police presented damning evidence showing Alexander had studied the husband's routines, identified vulnerabilities, and chosen his moment with military-like precision.
Military Training Turned Deadly
During sentencing at Gloucester Crown Court, Judge Michael Cullum expressed particular concern about how Alexander had weaponised his elite military training. "Your skills, honed for national protection, were perverted into instruments of personal vengeance," the judge declared.
Alexander received an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with 200 hours of community service and 30 rehabilitation activity days. The sentence reflected what the court described as his "genuine remorse" and previous exemplary character.
The case serves as a stark reminder how quickly lives can spiral into darkness, transforming respected figures into would-be killers lurking in the shadows.
