MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT WITH A MINIMUM TERM OF 27 YEARS AND 230 DAYS AFTER ADMITTING THE MURDER OF HIS EX-WIFE
Following a thorough investigation, Martin Suter of Portsmouth Road in Lee-On-The-Solent was formally charged with the murder of 71-year-old Ann Blackwood, whose death occurred at a cemetery.On Monday, 24 July 2023, at 15:47, authorities received a call from Suter, who confessed to having just killed someone through stabbing.
He identified the victim as his former wife, Ann Blackwood, and explained that his motive stemmed from a family member’s accidental death many years earlier.
Both individuals were present at Crofton Cemetery on Lychgate Green when the incident took place.
Emergency services responded promptly; despite their efforts and those of paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service, Ann Blackwood succumbed at the scene.
Suter was detained and placed under arrest.
Initially, Suter denied the murder charge.
However, on 28 May 2024, three days into his trial, he changed his plea to guilty.
His sentencing was postponed as it depended on the outcome of another case at Bolton Crown Court, where he was acquitted of certain sexual offence charges but admitted to a separate indecent assault.
Suter later sought to withdraw his guilty plea for the murder, but his request was denied.
During a Newton Hearing held on 7 November, HHJ Bowes dismissed claims that Suter brought a knife to the cemetery solely to cut flowers.
The judge set the minimum sentence at 25 years in prison.
Today at Portsmouth Crown Court, Suter was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years and 109 days for the murder.
An additional four months, served consecutively, were imposed for the indecent assault, bringing the total to 27 years and 230 days.
Detective Inspector Martin Longyear expressed that he welcomed the sentence, emphasizing its importance in reflecting the gravity of Suter’s actions and acknowledging his attempts to delay justice.
He highlighted the thoroughness of the investigation and the strength of the evidence that led to this outcome.
Longyear also noted that the case has caused significant pain to Ann’s family and expressed hope that the sentence would allow them some closure, assuring them that Suter is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to holding offenders accountable and ensuring justice.
Ann Blackwood’s family issued a heartfelt statement, describing her as a beloved, compassionate, and respected member of her community.
They praised her lifelong dedication to teaching and her role as a source of inspiration to many.
They expressed gratitude to everyone who supported their pursuit of justice and shared their profound grief over her loss, emphasizing her grace, strength, and the enduring legacy she leaves behind.
