A MAN is beginning a 23-year prison sentence for murdering his friend at his home following an argument in a village pub.
Father-of-three Marcus Dunkerton, 40, died from stab wounds at his family home in Thames Close, Charfield near Wotton-under-Edge on June 24 last year.
Grant Bradley, aged 46, of Blackwell Street, Kidderminster was convicted of murder on Friday, September 29 after a two-week trial at Bristol Crown Court.
The court heard that Bradley and Mr Dunkerton had spent the evening at the Railway Tavern in Charfield.
Mr Dunkerton was eventually told to leave by the landlady after a drunken row ended with him punching Bradley and pushing Bradley’s partner.
Bradley then visited Thames Close, where Mr Dunkerton lived with his partner, their young daughter and two step-children.
Bradley punched Mr Dunkerton and stabbed him in the buttocks but later in court denied intending to cause serious harm or inflicting the fatal blow.
Mr Dunkerton’s partner called the police and ambulance crews just before 11pm but he could not be saved and died just before midnight.
Bradley was arrested in Manor Lane just after 11.30pm.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Dunkerton had been stabbed five times with a kitchen knife and that the cause of death was the severing of his femoral artery.
Bradley was entenced to minimum life imprisonment of 23 years.
Detective Inspector Neil Meade of the Major Crime Investigation Team at Avon and Somerset police led the investigation.
He 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.”
A family statement reads: "No words will ever be able to express the deep sadness and loss that we feel as a family.
"Marcus was a much-loved son, brother, partner, father, step-father, uncle and son-in-law who was very much loved by us all.
"Marcus was murdered in his family home where he lived with his partner, daughter and two stepchildren.
"He was an excellent father. We are heartbroken.
"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.
"There isn’t a sentence that will make us feel better or bring Marcus back, but following a two-week harrowing trial, justice was finally served.
"We will never forgive Grant Bradley for what he did.
"We would like to thank the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the prosecuting barrister Joanna Martin KC, and in particular our family liaison officers Erika and Celia who have supported us throughout this 15-month terrible ordeal.
“We ask that people respect our privacy at what continues to be a very difficult time for ourselves and all those who knew Marcus."
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