Gloucestershire man who stabbed neighbour to death found guilty

Can Arslan killed Matthew Boorman on his own front lawn in Walton Cardiff, near Tewkesbury

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Can Arslan, in the dock at Bristol Crown Court, where he is accused of the murder of Matthew Boorman. Picture date: Tuesday March 29, 2022
Author: Tess de la Mere (PA), Ana Da SilvaPublished 5th Apr 2022
Last updated 5th Apr 2022

A Gloucestershire man has been found guilty of murder, after stabbing his neighbour 27 times and causing him to die.

Can Arslan, 52, killed father-of-three Matthew Boorman on the victim's front lawn in Walton Cardiff, near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, on October 5 last year.

Arslan, who was on trial at Bristol Crown Court, denied murder, claiming he should be convicted of a lesser charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

He also knifed Mr Boorman's wife, Sarah, in the leg as she tried to drag him off her husband, and then forced his way into the home of another man, Peter Marsden, and stabbed him eight times.

Two forensic psychiatrists agreed he was not psychotic or mentally ill; however, he has been diagnosed with a paranoid, unstable and antisocial personality disorder.

Gloucestershire Police's Senior Investigating Officer, DI Ben Lavender, welcomed the verdict:

"We welcome the verdict today and I'm pleased that the jury were able to see through his lies.

"This was a tragic incident that has affected so many. My thoughts are with the family of Matthew Boorman and all those who have been affected.

"Matthew Boorman was a caring father, husband, son and brother and will be truly missed by all that knew him. He was a keen cyclist and he loved to spend time with his wife and young children, who miss him dearly.

"Hopefully the sentence and verdict will bring some comfort to those involved."

Arslan is set to be sentenced later.

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