A GRANDAD who shot dead his daughter’s ex and his dad over a custody battle before making a haunting confession to armed cops has been jailed.
Stephen Alderton, 67, blasted Joshua Dunmore, 32, and his dad Gary, 57, at their Cambridgshire homes using a legally-held shotgun.
PAStephen Alderton shot dead the dad and son[/caption]
PAJoshua Dunmore was shot first[/caption]
PAAlderton then murdered his dad Gary[/caption]
The grandad then told armed police as he was arrested: “Sometimes you have to do what you have to do even if it’s wrong in the eyes of the law.”
He has now been jailed for life with a minimum of 25 years after admitting two counts of murder.
Sentencing, Judge Mark Bishop described the double killing as an “execution”.
He added: “You took the decision to take the law into your own hands and end the lives of two innocent men.”
As Alderton was led to the cells, one of Josh and Gary’s family members shouted “rot in prison” followed by applause.
Cambridge Crown Court heard widower Alderton had become fixated on a family court case involving his grandson.
Daughter Samantha Stephen shared the son with Joshua but was planning a move to the US with her husband, who was in the Air Force.
But Joshua opposed an application made to the family court to remove the boy from their jurisdiction.
Two days later on March 29, Alderton went first to Joshua’s home in Bluntisham and shot him at “close range”.
A neighbour saw the killer walk back to his car while carrying the shotgun.
He placed the Beretta in the back seat and drove the six miles to Gary’s home in Sutton where he fatally shot him 31 minutes later.
When cops searched his phone, they discovered chilling photos of both his victim’s homes.
He also wrote of his plan to “override any court decision” and said there was “always a plan B”.
The granddad added: “I’ve a shortlist of people I intend to murder.”
An inquest previously heard how Gary died of gunshot wounds to the head and torso.
Joshua suffered gunshot wounds to the head and chest that would have proved “rapidly fatal”.
In a letter to the court, Alderton claimed he has “never been a violent person”.
He added: “If I could turn back time I would.
“I regret there are not enough words of remorse I can offer to the families affected by this crime.
“What happened to me on March 29 I do not know.”
The family said: “Josh was a devoted father and a loving uncle. He was a wonderful son and brother and leaves behind an extensive group of family and friends.
“He will be deeply missed and the devastation this has caused will never heal.
“Gary was the most devoted son, brother, dad, and grandad, who gave everything for those he loved.
“He was a gentle and generous person who always put others before himself and he’ll be massively missed by his family and all those who knew and loved him.”
Joshua died from shotgun wounds to the head
Terry Harris – Commissioned by The SunThe horror unfolded six miles apart[/caption]
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