Kane Kotwica, 39, of Gloucester, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 31-and-a-half years for the murder of 53-year-old Matthew Cainey. The brutal incident occurred on May 28 at a property on Bedford Street, Gloucester.
During a court hearing at Bristol Crown Court, Kotwica was found guilty of deliberately stabbing Mr. Cainey to death. He was also convicted of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent after injuring two other men during the same attack. Despite his claim of self-defense, the jury rejected this and delivered a unanimous verdict.
The attack unfolded after an argument inside the flat, where Kotwica was initially asked to leave. He returned about 90 minutes later carrying a knife concealed in his pocket and fatally stabbed Mr. Cainey when the door was opened. The two men who attempted to restrain him were also seriously injured—one required life-saving surgery after a chest wound, while the other sustained a severe neck injury. Kotwica fled the scene, discarded the knife down a drain, and was swiftly apprehended by armed police.
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Judge William Hart described Kotwica’s actions as cold-blooded and deliberate, emphasizing that the victim was much loved despite his personal struggles. He condemned Kotwica as habitually violent and very dangerous, underscoring that the attack was not justified self-defense but a reaction to feeling disrespected.
Emotional victim personal statements were read in court. Matthew Cainey’s father expressed the profound loss to the family, highlighting the smiles and happiness his son always showed despite his challenges. His daughter spoke about the heartbreak of losing her father abruptly, just days after moving to Gloucester, and the void left in the community and family.
In addition to the life sentence for murder, Kotwica received concurrent sentences of 14 years and 10 years for wounding the two men, plus 18 months for possession of a bladed article.
Detective Inspector Adam Stacey of the Major Crime Investigation Team praised the dedication of all involved in securing justice and expressed hope that the victim’s family can begin to heal after an incredibly traumatic period.