A man has been sentenced to life, with a minimum of 27 years, after stabbing his ex-wife, 71, at their son’s graveside.
Martin Suter, 68, waited at a cemetery for five hours before launching the brutal attack on his former partner, Ann Blackwood, 71, in July 2023.
The ordeal took place on what would have been their son Christopher’s 36th birthday
At Portsmouth Crown Court, Suter was also sentenced for the indecent assault of a girl under 14, a crime he had admitted to just months before murdering Ms Blackwood.
Martin Suter, 68, waited at a cemetery for five hours before launching the brutal attack
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The 68-year-old showed no emotion as he was sentenced by Judge Michael Bowes KC.
The judge said: “No sentence I can pass can compensate Ann Blackwood’s family and friends for their devastating loss.”
Judge Bowes told the defendant: "Christopher’s death was a tragic loss but cannot reduce in any way your culpability for the murder of his mother.
"You brutally murdered Ann Blackwood in the most cruel and agonising way you could by stabbing her to death on her son’s grave, and this is rightly characterised by her family and friends as an act of wickedness.”
Ms Blackwood's brother said that 'her shocking and brutal death has sorely impacted many people'
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The 68-year-old was sentenced to a total of 27 years and 109 for the murder of Ms Blackwood and 121 days for indecent assault against a child.
The victim's brother, John Blackwood, told the court in a victim impact statement: “The fact that such wickedness can exist and be perpetrated by one human being on another is alien to us and totally beyond our comprehension.
“She was an affable, inoffensive person, easy-going, gregarious, with many friends.
"Her shocking and brutal death has sorely impacted many people, her immediate family and wider circle of friends.”
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Prosecutor Robert O'Sullivan KC told Portsmouth Crown Court that Stuter had done a "significant amount of planning" to carry out the brutal killing.
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.”
He added that Suter launched the attack after Ms Blackwood arrived by bicycle and went to their son’s grave.
The prosecutor said that the 68-year-old "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".
Portsmouth Crown Court heard that Ms Blackwood was stabbed a total of 19 times in the neck and shoulder
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Portsmouth Crown Court heard that Ms Blackwood was stabbed a total of 19 times in the neck and shoulder.
He said that at 3.39pm, Suter rang 999 and told police: "I have just murdered someone. I have just killed my ex-wife. I have just stabbed her to death.
Mr O’Sullivan added that the call-handler described the killer as "calm" during the call, and that he claimed his life had been "ruined" by Ms Blackwood, blaming her for their son’s death.
He told the court that the 68-year-old then called his second wife, Diane, admitted what he had done, and, referring to his previous indecent assault conviction, told her: "I know I am going to prison, I may as well go for this."
After the sentencing, the family of Ms Blackwood released a statement, which read: “Ann dedicated her life to helping and inspiring others throughout her successful teaching career. She was admired by her pupils and colleagues alike.
“Ann will be remembered as a person of beauty grace, and immeasurable fortitude.
“As a family we would like to thank everyone who has remained steadfast in the pursuit of justice."
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