A new two-part 24 Hours in Police Custody special follows the true crime investigation into the killings of 32-year-old Josh Dunmore and his father, 57-year-old Gary Dunmore. The pair were murdered within minutes of each other on the evening of 29 March 2023 in Cambridgeshire.
As we see in 24 Hours in Police Custody: A Family Vendetta, police arrest 67-year-old Stephen Alderton for the murders of Josh and Gary Dunmore and quickly piece together how he's tied to the crime and, more importantly, what led him to commit two brutal murders.
Speaking about the two-part special, Det Ch Insp Katie Dounias, from Cambridgeshire Police, said: "This programme will show how a family conflict playing itself out through the courts turned into a double tragedy through Stephen Alderton's rash and brutal actions."
Keep scrolling for details on where Stephen Alderton is now and more about who he is...
Where is Stephen Alderton now?
After pleading guilty to the murders of Josh and Gary Dunmore, Stephen Alderton was sentenced in 2023 to life in prison with a minimum of 25 years. In January 2024, this sentence was raised to a minimum of 30 years by the Court of Appeal after the Solicitor General argued it was unduly lenient.
"Alderton's sentence was raised on appeal to a minimum of 30 years," explained Det Ch Insp Dounias. "But no sentence is sufficient to make amends for the irreparable damage he caused to so many lives."
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Sharing similar thoughts, the Solicitor General, Robert Courts KC MP, said of Alderton's sentence: "Stephen Alderton's brutal killing spree has ripped apart a family. His despicable acts of violence are deplorable, and I extend my condolences to the Dunmore family."
He went on, "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."
Stephen Alderton is currently serving his life sentence, although there are no confirmed details on the prison where he is doing so.
Who is Stephen Alderton?
Stephen Alderton is the man who was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Josh and Gary Dunmore. His motive for the brutal double murders stemmed from a custody battle involving his grandson, who is the child his daughter shared with her ex Josh Dunmore.
Alderton's daughter and Dunmore had been in an ongoing custody battle over their son, and prosecutor Peter Gair said that it was "clear" the murders were "triggered" by this family court case.
In addition to the prosecutor's comments, Judge Mark Bishop said Alderton murdered the Dunmores over his "distorted beliefs" about family court proceedings, following what was "an interim and not final hearing on 27 March" – two days before their deaths.
This is further backed up by comments made by Alderton after his arrest, as well as texts he'd sent before killing the Dunmores. Following his arrest hours after the double murders, Alderton told police that "sometimes you have to do what you have to do even if it's wrong in the eyes of the law". The court also heard he had previously written in text messages that he would "override any court decision" and that there was "always a plan B".
In a letter to the court, Alderton said he was "not the person that this conflict and the family courts have driven me to become".
"If I could turn back time, I would," he continued. "I regret there are not enough words of remorse I can offer to the families affected by this crime."
24 Hours in Police Custody: A Family Vendetta concludes tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.
