…By Gift BADEWO for TDPel Media.
In this shocking case, we see the tragic outcomes of unchecked violent behavior.
Our hearts go out to the Dunmore family, who now must navigate the justice system to find closure for a profound personal loss.
The case, while distressing, serves as a critical reminder of our societal responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our communities.
It underscores the need for vigilance and early intervention in situations of escalating tension and conflict.
Double Murder in Cambridgeshire: 67-year-old Stephen Alderton Pleads Guilty
Stephen Alderton, a 67-year-old man, stands on the precipice of a substantial incarceration term following his admission of guilt in the double murder of a father and son.
The victims, 57-year-old Gary Dunmore and 32-year-old Joshua Dunmore, were found deceased in two distinct villages, Sutton and Bluntisham in Cambridgeshire, separated by a mere six miles.
Their bodies were discovered on March 29.
Alderton, who has no fixed address, formally entered his guilty pleas at a brief session at the Cambridge Crown Court.
The defendant, sporting a grey polo shirt and blue jeans, showed no sign of emotion while making his pleas, while the victims’ relatives observed from the jury seats.
Details of the Crime
According to information released by the Cambridgeshire Police after the hearing, Alderton committed the murders in a violent spree.
The elderly man shot Joshua Dunmore twice in the hallway of his Bluntisham residence at 9:09 PM.
Half an hour later, he shot Gary Dunmore three times at his home in Sutton.
Alderton fled the scene in his campervan but was apprehended near Worcester on the M5 around 1:30 AM the following day.
The police interrogated Alderton, but he refused to answer their queries.
The Judge presiding over the case, Mark Bishop, has decided to hold Alderton in custody until his sentencing date on October 20, following his confession.
Unanswered Questions and Future Implications
Interestingly, Alderton denied a charge of possessing a firearm, specifically a double-barrelled shotgun, intending to cause fear of violence to a neighbor of one of the victims.
The prosecutor, Peter Gair, and the judge decided that it was not in the public’s interest to pursue a trial on this particular charge, so they opted to let it remain on file.
The victims’ family members declined to comment after the hearing.
The details of the case were not discussed during the session.
At the time of the shootings, the police characterized the incident as a “targeted” attack, hinting at a potential “familial issue” as the primary line of investigation.
Investigation Ongoing
Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Hutchinson of Cambridgeshire Police has since confirmed that the possibility of a custody dispute is an active area of investigation.
However, the prosecutor, Mr. Gair, stated that they were still gathering evidence to support this line of inquiry, including an application to the family court.
Mourners have left floral tributes to the Dunmore men, with heartfelt messages reflecting their close ties to their community and their family.
As investigations continue, the focus of the Cambridgeshire Police’s major crime unit is to support the family and friends of Gary and Joshua Dunmore through this challenging time.