Killer given life sentence for murder of Gloucester man

A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a man in Gloucester earlier this year (2025).

Kane Kotwica, aged 39, and of Bibury Road, Gloucester, was convicted at Bristol Crown Court last week of the murder of 53-year-old Matthew Cainey. He was also found guilty of the wounding with intent of two other men.

Kotwica must serve a minimum term of 31-and-a-half years before he is eligible for release on licence.

The incident took place in an address on Bedford Street, Gloucester on the morning of 28 May this year.

The court had been told that Kotwica had been in the flat with two other men and two women when an argument broke out.

He was asked to leave but returned 90 minutes later with a knife hidden in his pocket. He fatally stabbed Mr Cainey when he answered the door.

The two men tried to restrain Kotwica but were also injured by him. One of the men was also stabbed in the chest and had to undergo life-saving surgery while the other man suffered a serious wound to his neck.

After fleeing from the property, Kotwica threw the knife down a drain, before being arrested nearby by armed officers.

After an investigation by the Major Crime Investigation Team, he was charged with the offences.

Kotwica claimed that he had acted in self-defence. However, following a three-week trial, a jury unanimously found him guilty of the murder of Mr Cainey.

He was found not guilty of the attempted murders of the two other men, but found guilty of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent. 

During his sentencing at Bristol Crown Court yesterday, Judge William Hart told him: "Matthew Cainey was a man with many troubles and challenges in his life, but he was a man who was much loved by his family and friends.

"You could have left the scene without violence, but you are a man habitually prone to violence and a loss of self-control.

"What you did to Matthew Cainey, in my judgement, was deliberate and cold-blooded. This was not excessive use of force in self-defence; you felt you were being disrespected.

"I have no choice but to conclude that you are a very dangerous man indeed. You didn't care whether you killed him [Matthew Cainey] or caused him serious harm."

In a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) read to the court, Matthew's father said: "Matthew was cruelly taken from us without warning. Matthew had a different lifestyle compared to many others. I respected him for that. It was his choice and he always looked happy. Even when I last saw him, we had a laugh, a joke and a catch up.

"Each time I saw him he gave me the biggest smiles. It was those smiles which stopped me from worrying so much.

"Matthew was my only son and meant the world to me and [his stepmother]. The loss is immeasurable. It's a loss, not only to me but to his children, and to his grandson.

"When I still travel into Gloucester to do my shopping, I still see his friends and it's been nice to stop, chat with them for a while and share stories. The big person missing, is of course, Matthew."

His daughter's VPS was also read in court. She said: "Losing my dad in this horrible way has heartbroken not only me and my siblings but also my son, who loved his Papa C so much.

"We only moved to Gloucester nine days before this happened, and my dad didn't even get the chance to come and see my new place. I had plans to see Dad the day after he died – I was looking forward to spending more time with him, bumping into him in the city centre and being there for him and helping him more. Now, I have no family that live close to me.

"I now walk through the town and feel sad seeing all his friends hanging around hearing them say how much it's affected them all – Dad was loved by so many people.

"This selfish, horrible crime is not how his life should have ended."

Kotwica was given a life sentence for the murder of Mr Cainey and was told that he must serve a minimum term of 31-and-a-half years before he is eligible for release on licence.

He was given 14 years for the wounding of one of the men, 10 years for the wounding of the other, and 18 months for possession of a bladed article. The sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence.

Speaking after the sentence, Detective Inspector Adam Stacey of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "I welcome this sentence and I am happy that a very dangerous man will be behind bars for a very considerable time.

"The family of Matthew Cainey have been through an incredibly traumatic six months leading up to this trial, but have shown dignity and grace throughout it all.

"I am very glad that we can deliver some justice for them, and hope that they can perhaps now look to move on as they continue to grieve.

"I would like to thank my team for all their hard work in getting this result, as well as all the staff, officers and first responders who have been involved since the incident."

Kane Kotwica

Matthew Cainey