In a tragic turn of events, Grant Bradley has been found guilty of the murder of his former friend, Marcus Dunkerton, in a pub altercation that culminated in a fatal stabbing.
The deadly confrontation unfolded on June 24, 2022, at the Railway Tavern in South Gloucestershire, where Bradley and Marcus engaged in a heated dispute, resulting in Bradley being punched in the face by Marcus.
Following this altercation, Bradley left the scene but later made a fateful decision to head to Marcus Dunkerton's residence in Charfield, armed with a kitchen knife, with the intention of settling the dispute.
Bristol Crown Court heard chilling details of Bradley's actions as he viciously attacked Marcus Dunkerton, stabbing him a horrifying five times in the buttock and thigh while he lay sleeping on the sofa. The violent assault also included punches.
Nicola Sansum, Marcus Dunkerton's partner, valiantly attempted to intervene and restrain Bradley, but he managed to escape and return to his own home on Avon Close.
Tragically, Nicola discovered her partner in a pool of blood and immediately dialed 999, but Marcus was declared dead by the first responders.
Bradley, aged 47, residing on Blackwell Street in Kidderminster, was subsequently arrested in connection with Marcus Dunkerton's death. Bradley vehemently denied the murder charges, claiming that his intent was only to harm Marcus. Shockingly, he also accused Nicola of involvement in Marcus Dunkerton's demise.
Following a two-week trial and a four-hour jury deliberation, Bradley was found guilty of murder. Judge Blair ordered an immediate sentencing for the heinous crime, as reported by BristolLive.
During the trial, emotional witness statements were read, including one from Marcus Dunkerton's grieving mother, who expressed the immeasurable pain and loss inflicted upon their family. Over 200 people attended Marcus's funeral, a testament to the profound impact he had on those around him.
Nicola Sansum also shared her trauma, describing Marcus Dunkerton as her "partner for life" and highlighting his role as a strong father figure for their daughter and stepchildren.
She expressed her deep distress at being wrongly accused by Bradley and the horrifying thought of what could have happened if her daughter had woken up during the attack.
A post-mortem examination revealed multiple injuries on Marcus Dunkerton's body, with five stab wounds proving fatal. Dr. Basil Purdue, a Home Office registered forensic pathologist, testified that one of the wounds severed Marcus's femoral artery, leading to rapid blood loss.
Bradley admitted to stabbing Marcus twice in the buttock, intending to inflict pain but not to kill. He claimed the knife was in his pocket for work purposes, but both the jury and the judge concluded that Bradley had deliberately taken the knife from his home with the intention of using it violently.
In his sentencing, Judge Blair expressed the shock and disbelief at the tragic events of June 24, 2022, and emphasized Bradley's failure to heed pleas from friends and pub patrons to calm down and avoid further confrontation with Marcus.
Ultimately, Bradley was sentenced to 23 years in prison for this heart-wrenching crime.
Meanwhile in Florida, a significant law enforcement operation conducted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has resulted in the arrest of three individuals on child pornography charges, with a fourth man facing drug-related allegations. See detailed story here
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