A MONSTER who lay in wait for five hours to stab his ex-wife to death by their tragic son’s grave has been jailed.
Martin Suter, 68, attacked 71-year-old Ann Blackwood at the cemetery in Stubbington, Hampshire, on the anniversary of son Christopher’s death.
The monster used scissors Ann had brought to cut flowers for his grave to stab her in the neck during the brutal killing.
Suter, who also used a 12-inch kitchen knife to attack his ex-wife, then called 999 and confessed: “I have just killed my ex-wife, I have just stabbed her to death.”
He has now been jailed for life with a minimum of 27 years after he pleaded guilty to murder in May last year.
The plea was originally subject to reporting restrictions but a judge at Portsmouth Crown Court lifted these.
It also emerged that at the same time as his murder confession, Suter had faced court accused of historic sex offences.
He admitted indecent assault of a girl under 14 in May 2023 and faced five further charges at a trial in July last year but was cleared.
In a victim impact statement, John Blackwood, Ann’s brother, said: “His wickedness is alien to us and totally beyond our comprehension.
“Her life was pitilessly extinguished in such a savage way.
“It is something that our family will never be able to come to terms with. The family hub has been splintered in the most grotesque manner possible.”
Robert O’Sullivan KC, prosecuting, said Suter arrived at the cemetery on July 24, 2023 at around 10.30am – around five hours before his ex-wife.
The date marked the 36th birthday of his and Ann’s late son Christopher, who was found hanged in July 2003 aged 15.
He added: “The defendant armed himself with a large kitchen knife from his home address and he took it with him to the cemetery that morning while he laid in wait to attack Ann Blackwood, rightly anticipating she would visit her son’s grave that day.”
Police were called to Crofton Cemetery on July 24, 2023, following reports of an assault.
Ann was treated at the scene by paramedics but sadly couldn’t be saved and was declared dead shortly after.
The court heard there was a lack of defensive injuries that showed she was either “taken by surprise or overwhelmed by the attack”.
She had been stabbed 19 times by Suter and was found with orange roses by her body.
Mr O’Sullivan said: “The defendant stabbed her in the back with a kitchen knife and, the blade having broken off, he repeatedly stabbed her in the neck with a pair of scissors that she had brought with her to cut the flowers she had planned to put on her son’s grave.”
The court heard the couple’s teenage son Christopher died in 2003 and the couple divorced the following year.
Suter was said to believe Ann had “ruined” his life and he blamed her for their son’s suicide.
He told the police: “I stabbed her with a kitchen knife and scissors. The knife broke, it’s still inside. The scissors are alongside.”
Paying tribute, her family said: “Her daughter, brothers, their families and all her friends are absolutely devastated by the loss of Ann Blackwood.
“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 was a Green Party member and council election candidate.
The killer was also an active member of the St Faith’s Church in Lee-on-the-Solent where he lived.
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
