Yachtsman faces Newton hearing over ex-wife’s murder at graveside of late son

PORTSMOUTH, England — A Newton hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court is examining the case of Martin Suter, a 68-year-old yachting enthusiast from Lee-on-the-Solent, who killed his ex-wife, Ann Blackwood, at the graveside of their late son in Crofton Cemetery, Stubbington, Hampshire, on July 24, 2023. The hearing is tasked with two questions: whether Suter carried the knife with the intention of killing Blackwood, and whether he intended to murder her or to cause grievous bodily harm.

Prosecutors have outlined that Blackwood, 71, was killed with a kitchen knife and a pair of scissors she had brought to trim memorial flowers for their son, Christopher, who died aged 15 more than two decades earlier. Suter, of Lee on Solent, reportedly laid in wait for several hours before the attack, arriving by car for the day’s vigil and remaining in the vehicle until Blackwood’s arrival.

Psychologist Dr. Paul Beckley, who interviewed Suter in prison, described a man who said he had gone to the cemetery to place flowers and had a large kitchen knife on his person. Beckley’s report said Suter claimed he had brought sunflowers and did not use the secateurs he would normally employ because they would crush the flower stalks. The psychologist noted that Suter acknowledged bringing the knife for the purpose of cutting flowers and that he had previously used a knife in this way, albeit not the kitchen knife he carried that day. Beckley said Suter described arriving around 10 a.m. and staying for several hours in his car.

Jodie Mittell KC, representing Suter, told the court there was no evidence to be called on behalf of the defendant, while prosecutor Robert O’Sullivan KC noted that Suter left his home at about 10:29 a.m. on July 24, 2023. The court heard that Blackwood arrived at the cemetery by bicycle around 3:30 p.m. and, as she walked toward the grave, Suter used the kitchen knife to stab her in the back. The blade reportedly broke off from the handle, after which he stabbed her in the neck with scissors that Blackwood had brought to trim the orange roses she intended to leave on her son’s grave.

Minutes after the attack, Suter called 999 and told operators, “I have just murdered my ex-wife.” He then phoned his second wife, saying that he had “finished her off” with a pair of scissors. Police arrived, and Suter was arrested. A postmortem identified at least 19 stab wounds in Blackwood’s neck, though it remains unclear whether the scissors were open or closed at the time of the injuries. Prosecutors have indicated the Newton hearing is focused on whether the knife was carried with the intent to kill and whether the act amounted to murder or grievous bodily harm.

Suter has previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Blackwood. Separately, he faced a Manchester trial last year for historic abuse of a young girl and was convicted of indecently assaulting a girl under 14. The judge in the Portsmouth case is due to rule in November on the matters presented in the Newton hearing. For those seeking confidential support, Samaritans can be reached at 116 123, or via samaritans.org. Thecalmzone.net/get-support also offers resources.