Man waited at grave to murder ex-wife, court told

Ann Blackwood was "loving, caring and kind-hearted", her family said

A man lay in wait at his son's grave to kill his ex-wife who he blamed for ruining his life, a court has heard.

Martin Suter, 68, previously pleaded guilty to murdering 71-year-old Ann Blackwood at Crofton Cemetery in Stubbington, Hampshire, in July 2023.

The defendant, of Lee-on-the-Solent, repeatedly stabbed her on the 20th anniversary of their son's death, Portsmouth Crown Court was told.

The hearing is to determine the circumstances of the case ahead of sentencing in October.

Warning: The following report contains distressing details

Ann Blackwood was pronounced dead at Crofton Cemetery

Robert O'Sullivan KC, prosecuting, said Suter arrived at the cemetery at about 10:30 BST on 24 July, 2023, about five hours before his ex-wife.

He said: "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."

A lack of defensive injuries showed Ms Blackwood was either "taken by surprise or overwhelmed by the attack", the court was told.

Mr O'Sullivan continued: "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."

'Devastating loss'

The court was then told that Suter called 999 and confessed: "I have just killed my ex-wife, I have just stabbed her to death."

Mr O'Sullivan added: "He said his life had been ruined by the deceased and he blamed her for his son's suicide."

The couple's teenage son Christopher died in 2003 and the couple divorced the following year, the court heard.

The hearing is being held to determine whether Suter took the kitchen knife to the scene and whether he intended to kill Ms Blackwood or cause grievous bodily harm.

Previously, the defendant pleaded guilty in a separate case at Bolton Crown Court to indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14.

In a previous statement, Ms Blackwood's family said: "Her daughter, brothers, their families and all her friends are absolutely devastated by the loss.

"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."

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