Man who murdered father and son has jail sentence extended

A man who shot a father and son at their Fenland homes was jailed for life last year.

Stephen Alderton, 67, of no fixed abode, shot Joshua Dunmore, 32, twice in the hallway of his home in Meridian Close, Bluntisham, at 9.09pm on 29 March 2023.

Thirty-one minutes later, he shot Gary Dunmore, 57, three times in the hallway of his home in The Row, Sutton, near Ely.

Alderton drove off in his motorhome but was arrested at about 1.30am the following day on the M5 near Worcester.

Alderton was interviewed by police but did not answer any questions and was charged with two counts of murder and one count of possession of a firearm.

In June he admitted the two counts of murder at Cambridge Crown Court.

He denied the firearms offence, which was ordered to lie on file.

DCI Katie Dounias, from the major crime unit:

"On 29 March, Stephen Alderton turned a family dispute playing itself out through the courts into a double tragedy by his rash and brutal actions.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Gary and Josh at this difficult time.

"There is no sentence sufficient to heal the trauma they have endured but I hope today’s sentencing will provide some solace."

On Monday 23 October 2023 he was jailed for life by His Honour Judge Mark Bishop at the same court and told he would serve a minimum of 25 years, minus time already served.

On Tuesday 23 January 2024 the minimum term was extended to 30 years.