11 hours ago
Yachtsman murdered ex-wife next to their late son's grave
A yachting enthusiast murdered his ex-wife at a cemetery by their late son's grave.
Martin Suter, 68, admitted murder after his sailor ex-wife Ann Blackwood, 71, died where their son was buried at Crofton Cemetery, Stubbington, on July 24, 2023.
Ms Blackwood, who friends described as 'kind-hearted', was killed on their late son Christopher's birthday, more than 20 years after he died aged 15.
Suter lived in a £800,000 home around a mile from Ms Blackwood in Lee-on-the-Solent.
He admitted murder in court in May last year but his case was subject to reporting restrictions, which have now been lifted.
He faced a separate trial last year in which he was convicted of indecently assaulting a girl under 14.
Friends and family said they were 'absolutely devastated' by Ms Blackwood's death, adding that she was a 'loving, caring, kind-hearted mother and friend who was very popular in her local community'.
They said: 'She was enjoying her retirement with an active lifestyle which included tennis, sailing, cycling and music'.
Suter was a Green Party member and council election candidate. He was also an active member of the St Faith's Church in Lee-on-the-Solent.
He was due to stand trial for murder in May last year, but on the day of the trial changed his plea to guilty.
His case has been fraught with legal complications and reporting restrictions imposed by Portsmouth Crown Court, preventing any details from being shared.
At the same time, he faced proceedings at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester related to historic sex offences.
He admitted indecent assault of a girl under 14 in May 2023 and faced five further charges at a trial in Manchester in July last year, but was cleared of those five counts.
In September, he will appear at Portsmouth Crown Court for a hearing where he is due to be sentenced.
