Three men charged with murder after death of man in Bournemouth

The victim has been named by police as 56-year-old Michael Bastable

Author: Ryan BurrowsPublished 30th Jan 2022
Last updated 31st Jan 2022

Three men have been charged with murder following the death of a man in Bournemouth.

The victim, named by detectives as 56-year-old Michael Bastable, was found unresponsive in an alleyway at the end of Shelbourne Road on the afternoon of January 14th.

Michael, also known as Shaun, was pronounced dead at the scene despite the work of emergency crews including the ambulance service.

Four people were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday (January 26th and 27th), after a post-mortem showed Mr Bastable had died as a result of internal injuries.

Three Bournemouth men – Hayden Johnson, aged 28, Damien Johnson, aged 30, and Dominic MacDonald, also aged 30 – have been charged with murder and robbery in connection with the death of Mr Bastable.

They are due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

A 27-year-old local woman arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation has been released without charge.

On Friday, a 35-year-old Bournemouth woman was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, and she has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Detective Superintendent Gavin Dudfield, of Dorset Police, said:

“Following a meticulous investigation, led by the Force’s Major Crime Investigation Team, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised the charges for murder and robbery.

“Mr Bastable’s family have been updated of this development and our thoughts remain with them.

“This matter is now subject to a court process and as is typical in these circumstances, it would be entirely inappropriate for Dorset Police to comment further. It is important that the justice system is allowed to follow its course.

“I would like to remind the public that this matter is now the subject of active court proceedings and it is important to stress that there should be no commentary or sharing of information online or on social media that could potentially prejudice these proceedings.”

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