Martin Suter, 68, admitted murder after his sailor ex-wife Ann Blackwood, 71, was killed at the graveyard where their son is buried. ‘Kindhearted’ Ms Blackwood was killed on the anniversary of the birthday of the couple’s late son, Christopher, who died aged 15 over 20 years ago. The incident occurred near an affluent seaside town in Hampshire in July 2023.
Suter, who lived in a £800,000 home nearby overlooking the Solent, admitted murder in court in May last year but his case was subjected to reporting restrictions. Today, his plea can be reported for the first time after a judge lifted the restrictions. It can also be revealed for the first time that faced a separate trial last year for historic abuse of a young girl and was convicted of indecently assaulting a girl under 14.
Suter will face another hearing in September when he will be sentenced. Ms Blackwood was killed in Crofton Cemetery, Stubbington, Hants, on July 24, 2023. Friends and family said they were ‘absolutely devastated’ by her loss. They said she was a “loving, caring, kind-hearted mother and friend who was very popular in her local community, she was enjoying her retirement with an active lifestyle which included tennis, sailing, cycling and music.”
Suter lived around a mile from Ms Blackwood in seaside town Lee-on-the-Solent, in a large property overlooking the Solent. The area is popular with sailing enthusiasts. 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.
It can be revealed today that Suter 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, Hants, prevented any details 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.
