Man guilty of murdering ex-wife 'at son's grave'

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

A man has admitted murdering his 71-year-old ex-wife who was found fatally injured at a cemetery.

Martin Suter, 68, fatally injured Ann Blackwood by their son's grave on what would have been the teenager's birthday, The Portsmouth News has reported.

She was pronounced dead at Crofton Cemetery in Stubbington, Hampshire, shortly after police were called at 15:45 BST on 24 July 2023.

Suter pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial at Portsmouth Crown Court and will be sentenced on 3 October.

Ms Blackwood, from Lee-on-the-Solent, was given medical treatment at the scene but died a short time later.

Suter, also from Lee-on-the-Solent, faced six additional charges in a separate case of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14.

He pleaded guilty to one offence and was found not guilty of the others following a trial at Bolton Crown Court.

A legal order, which banned reporting of the murder plea in May, has been lifted by a judge at Portsmouth Crown Court.

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."