Cambridgeshire shootings: Longer sentence for man who shot two dead

Cambridgeshire Constabulary Gary and Josh DunmoreCambridgeshire Constabulary
Gary and Josh Dunmore died of gunshot wounds at two separate properties in Cambridgeshire in March

A man who shot a father and son dead has had his sentence extended by the Court of Appeal.

Stephen Alderton killed Gary Dunmore, 57, and Josh Dunmore, 32, at separate properties in two Cambridgeshire villages in March.

A judge at Cambridge Crown Court sentenced Alderton, 67, to life with a minimum of 25 years in October.

On Tuesday the Court of Appeal extended his sentence to a minimum of 30 years, minus time already served in custody.

Solicitor General Robert Courts KC MP said:  "Stephen Alderton's brutal killing spree has ripped apart a family.

"I welcome the court's decision to extend Alderton's sentence, and hope it sends a clear message that those who commit murder will face the full force of the law."

Cambridgeshire Constabulary Stephen AldertonCambridgeshire Constabulary
Stephen Alderton, 67, pleaded guilty to the murders of Gary and Josh Dunmore

Cambridge Crown Court heard the killings came two days after a family court hearing.

Josh Dunmore, the former partner of Alderton's daughter, was found dead at his home in Bluntisham, while six miles away his father was found dead at his home in Sutton on 29 March.

Judge Mark Bishop compared the killings to an "execution".

Alderton, of no fixed address, was arrested in his motorhome on the M5 near Worcester hours later by armed office.

He told police that "sometimes you have to do what you have to do even if it's wrong in the eyes of the law".

Armed police arrested Alderton on the motorway

Gary Dunmore's mother provided the court with a victim impact statement which said: "Both were killed in the most vicious, cowardly way with no opportunity for self-defence."

In a letter to the court, Alderton, who admitted the murders, wrote he was "not the person that this conflict and the family courts have driven me to become".

He said: "If I could turn back time I would."

presentational grey line

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830