A knifeman who fatally stabbed a father-of-three after a pub argument in Newark asked police if he could put socks on as he was being arrested. Brandon Byrne, 23, was convicted of murdering James Cook, 40, following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
Pub argument turned deadly
The incident began on April 30, 2025, when Byrne and Cook argued in a Newark pub. Cook headbutted Byrne, who threw a punch, leading to a brawl. After being ejected from the pub, an enraged Byrne, already armed with a knife, hunted down Cook. CCTV showed Byrne walking slowly down Stodman Street with a knife in hand around 11:50 PM. He chased Cook to Castle Gate and stabbed him, then kicked him in the head and stabbed him again as he lay defenseless. Cook was pronounced dead shortly after midnight on May 1, 2025.
Arrest and trial
Byrne was tracked down by 4:09 AM. Body-worn video captured him interrupting officers to ask about putting on socks before inquiring, 'Did he die?' He pleaded not guilty to murder but later admitted possessing an offensive weapon. After a trial from April 13 to 30, 2026, he was found guilty of murder. Judge Steven Coupland sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum of 23 years, citing 'anger and revenge' as motives.
Victim impact
In court, Cook's wife Adele said: 'James was the greatest dad and the greatest love of my life. He was my partner, my protector and my best friend. To my children, he was their hero.'
Police statement
Detective Constable Kimberley Priestley of Nottinghamshire Police said: 'It's been almost a year since Brandon Byrne turned the Cook family's life upside down. They've been put through hell since he produced a knife and callously murdered their loved one. That senseless decision came minutes after a fight in a pub. Byrne was enraged and refused to let it go, hunting Cook down and stabbing him to death. His not guilty pleas made things worse. While this outcome will never bring Mr Cook back, we hope it helps his family grieve.'
