Dramatic police body camera footage captured the arrest of a man in a shed shortly after he fatally stabbed his romantic rival. Michael James, aged 45, used a kitchen knife to kill Bradley Hollis, aged 35, during a confrontation at James’ residence in March 2025.
James, who lived with his former girlfriend Zara Tolley, separated from her after a decade-long relationship. Subsequently, Hollis, a father of four, started a relationship with Tolley, triggering jealousy in James. The violent incident occurred while James’ two children were asleep upstairs in the house.
Following a trial, James was sentenced to 14 years in prison for manslaughter and for possessing a bladed weapon in public. He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Tolley before the fatal attack on Hollis. During sentencing, Judge Graham Reeds KC mentioned James’ actions were driven by jealousy and concern over Hollis visiting the house, emphasizing the impact of Hollis’ death on his loved ones.
The court learned that James and Tolley cohabitated in Stannington, Sheffield, with their children. The prosecution revealed a history of strained relationships between James, Tolley, and Hollis, leading to restrictions on Hollis visiting their home.
Text messages from James to Tolley in the days before the incident showed his aggressive behavior and threats towards her and Hollis. The situation escalated on the night of the attack, with James physically assaulting Tolley before the fatal encounter with Hollis.
Witnesses recounted a physical altercation between James and Hollis before James resorted to using a knife, fatally injuring Hollis. Judge Reeds concluded that James did not act in self-defense but instead used the knife as a weapon to gain an advantage in the fight.
James was apprehended by police officers in a shed during the night, as seen in the body camera footage. In addition to the prison sentence, a restraining order was issued to prevent James from contacting Tolley directly.
If you need support, you can reach out to the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. For specialized assistance in cases of fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) offers expert support. Visit aafda.org.uk for more information.