Owen Dunn: Teenagers sentenced for murder of 18-year-old

Owen Dunn, 18, was fatally stabbed in Swindon in December

Two teenagers found guilty of murdering an 18-year-old in a machete attack have been jailed.

Owen Dunn died from a single stab wound in Swindon on 4 December, 2022.

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and 18-year-old Tyler Hunt were convicted of Mr Dunn's murder at Bristol Crown Court on 30 November.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Dunn's family said their "lives had changed forever".

"Our house is quiet, the absence of Owen's laughter and smiles echoes through our home.

"We await his return, only to face the heartbreaking reality that he will not be coming home and having to bid him a final farewell," they added.

Hunt, of Park South, was sentenced to a minimum term of 19 years in prison while the 15-year-old was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

In a statement, Mr Dunn's family said: "The absence of Owen's laughter and smiles echoes through our home."

The trial at Bristol Crown Court was told how Mr Dunn was cycling to meet his girlfriend when he was attacked by Hunt and the 15-year-old, who were both wearing balaclavas and wielding machetes.

The teenagers dropped their bikes to block the path before trying to "slash" Mr Dunn in the chest.

Mr Dunn suffered one wound just below the armpit, which punctured his heart.

Members of the public rushed to Mr Dunn's aid but he was declared dead within an hour.

Hunt and the 15-year-old had both denied murder and manslaughter, claiming they were acting in self defence, but were found guilty after a trial lasting almost three weeks.

The court was told Mr Dunn was also carrying a weapon, which was later found by paramedics.

'Wrong place, wrong time'

On sentencing, Mrs Justice Stacey said Mr Dunn was a "fit and healthy young man" with his "whole life ahead of him" before being murdered by the pair, who were unknown to him.

"Little is known about why Owen was killed and I cannot fill the gap," she said.

"Both boys took weapons with them and both knew how unsettling and intimidating it was for them to be dressed in black wearing balaclavas. They had an aggression to them as said by witnesses," she added.

"Perhaps Owen was in the wrong place at the wrong time," she said.

Mrs Justice Stacey said there was "no proof that what happened was gang related" and asked members of the public not to draw that conclusion.

Det Ch Insp Phil Walker said it was "scary" how easy it was for people to get hold of knives

Det Ch Insp Phil Walker from Wiltshire Police said it was "scary" to know Mr Dunn was murdered "in the middle of a housing estate and in the middle of the day".

"It's scary how easy it is sometimes for people to get hold of knives and we know, in this case they ordered them online.

"Teenagers ordering a machete online is frightening and, of course, the manner in which they've dressed must be incredibly frightening for the public," he said.

Det Ch Insp Walker said he hoped the sentencing "sends out a strong message" to others to "make them think twice" about getting involved in knife crime.

Since Mr Dunn's murder, his family have worked to support Swindon's young people, setting up the charity Owen's World in his memory.

The charity has raised almost £17,000 through fundraising events, with the money going towards the installation of 11 bleed kits across the town.