An avid sailor has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of more than 27 years for the murder of his ex-wife.
He lay in wait for her for five hours at a cemetery before attacking and fatally stabbing her with scissors at their son’s graveside.
Martin Suter, 68, of Lee-on-the-Solent, pleaded guilty to the murder of 71-year-old Ann Blackwood at Crofton Cemetery in Stubbington, Hampshire, on 24 July 2023.
It would have been the 36th birthday of their son, Christopher.
Suter, who wore a beige suit and striped tie at a hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, was also sentenced for the indecent assault of a girl under 14 years old, which he had pleaded guilty to in May 2023.
Sentencing Suter, Judge Michael Bowes KC said: “No sentence I can pass can compensate Ann Blackwood’s family and friends for their devastating loss.”
Addressing Suter, who showed no emotion, the judge said: “Christopher’s death was a tragic loss but cannot reduce in any way your culpability for the murder of his mother.”
“This is rightly characterised by her family and friends as an act of wickedness.”
Suter was sentenced to 27 years and 109 days for the murder charge, with a further 121 days added for the indecent assault conviction.
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In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Blackwood’s brother, John Blackwood, said his sister was “an affable, inoffensive person, easy-going, gregarious, with many friends”.
“Her shocking and brutal death has sorely impacted many people, her immediate family, and wider circle of friends.”
Robert O’Sullivan KC, prosecuting, said there was a “significant degree of planning” involved.
“The defendant armed himself with a large kitchen knife from his home address and took it with him to the cemetery that morning while he lay in wait to attack Ann Blackwood, rightly anticipating she would visit her son’s grave that day.”
Suter attacked Ms Blackwood after she arrived by bicycle and approached the grave, Mr O’Sullivan said.
The court heard that she was stabbed 19 times in the neck and shoulder with the scissors.
Mr O’Sullivan said that at 3.39pm, Suter called 999 and told police: “I have just murdered someone, I have just killed my ex-wife, I have just stabbed her to death.”
Suter had been diagnosed with autism and depression, Mr O’Sullivan said.
“It may be difficult for someone with the autism diagnosis to demonstrate, or for remorse to be assessed,” said Jodie Mittell KC, defending.
