A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 53-year-old Matthew Cainey in Gloucester.
Kane Kotwica, 39, of Bibury Road, was convicted at Bristol Crown Court of murdering Mr Cainey and of wounding two other men with intent during the same incident. He will serve a minimum of 31 and a half years before being eligible for release on licence.
The attack occurred on Bedford Street in Gloucester during the morning of May 28, 2025. The court heard that Kotwica had earlier been asked to leave the property following an argument. About 90 minutes later, he returned with a knife hidden in his pocket.
When Mr Cainey answered the door, Kotwica fatally stabbed him. Two other men attempted to restrain Kotwica and were also seriously injured. One suffered a chest wound requiring life-saving surgery, while the other sustained a serious injury to his neck.
Kotwica fled the scene and disposed of the knife by throwing it into a drain but was arrested nearby by armed police officers. A subsequent investigation by the Major Crime Investigation Team led to him being charged.
Kotwica claimed he acted in self-defence, but after a three-week trial, the jury unanimously found him guilty of murder. He was acquitted of attempted murder relating to the other victims but convicted of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent.
Sentencing Kotwica, Judge William Hart said Mr Cainey was “much loved by his family and friends” and described Kotwica as habitually prone to violence. He added that the defendant could have left the scene without resorting to violence.
The court heard emotional statements from Mr Cainey’s family. His father said the loss of his only son was “immeasurable,” while Mr Cainey’s daughter described the devastating impact on her family and young son.
