Kidderminster man jailed for 23 years after murdering friend

Grant Bradley, aged 46, of Blackwell Street, was convicted of murdering Marcus Dunkerton, aged 40, on Friday, September 29 at Bristol Crown Court.

The court heard that Bradley and Mr Dunkerton had spent the evening at the Railway Tavern pub in Charfield, South Gloucestershire, on Friday, June 24 2022.

Mr Dunkerton was told to leave by the landlady after a drunken row ended with him punching Bradley and pushing Bradley’s partner.

Bradley admitted going to Thames Close, where Mr Dunkerton lived with his partner and their young daughter, punching him and stabbing him in the buttocks, but he denied intending to cause serious harm or inflicting the fatal blow.

Mr Dunkerton’s partner called police and ambulance crews just before 11pm, but sadly he could not be saved, and Bradley was arrested on Manor Lane just after 11.30pm.

A post-mortem found that Mr Dunkerton had been stabbed five times and the cause of death was the severing of an artery. 

Marcus Dunkerton (Image: Dunkerton family)

A statement released by Mr Dunkerton’s family said: “Marcus was a much-loved partner, father, stepfather, son and brother and he will be sadly missed by all of us.

“As a family, we are all now sentenced to a lifetime of being without him, there will be so many milestones and special occasions that Marcus will not see or be able to attend.

“These occasions will be a constant reminder that he has been taken from us all. He will never walk his daughter down the aisle when she gets married, he will never have the joy of becoming a grandfather.

“Marcus was taken from us tragically and far too soon in one senseless act of violence. Our lives will never be the same without Marcus.”

The court heard that the detective tracked Bradley's whereabouts through CCTV and doorbell footage.

The prosecution said he went home to get the knife, but he said he had the kitchen knife with him already by claiming it was used for work.

Detective Inspector Neil Meade of the Major Crime Investigation Team said: “We may never know what triggered the dispute between these two friends, but it’s clear that alcohol played a significant part in the events leading up to Marcus’ death.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for Marcus’ family, and I would like to commend them for their dignity and support.

"Marcus’ partner Nicola, especially, was cross-examined in court as Bradley tried to throw the blame on her but the jury saw through this and determined that Grant Bradley alone was responsible for Marcus’ death.”