Man sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years following the murder of Ann Blackwood at Crofton cemetery in Fareham.

We wanted to highlight a court sentencing to you.

A 68-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years at Portsmouth Crown Court today (Friday 21 November) after admitting the murder of his ex-wife at Crofton cemetery in Fareham on Monday 24 July 2023.

Following a thorough investigation Martin Suter of Portsmouth Road in Lee-On-The-Solent was charged with the murder of 71-year-old Ann Blackwood in the cemetery.

At 15:47pm on Monday 24 July 2023 we received a call from Suter stating he had just murdered someone by stabbing them. He identified the victim as his ex-wife Ann Blackwood and stated that his motive was related to the non-suspicious accidental death of a family member many years previously. Both parties were at Crofton cemetery at Lychgate Green. Officers rushed to the scene and despite their efforts and those of paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service, Ann Blackwood died at the cemetery. Suter was arrested and taken into custody.

Following a charge for murder Suter denied the offence, but three days into his subsequent trial on 28 May 2024 he changed his plea to guilty. His sentencing was adjourned until after the outcome of another case being heard at Bolton Crown Court, where he was acquitted by a jury of some charges relating to sexual offences, however he admitted an indecent assault. Suter then attempted to overturn his guilty plea for the murder of Ann Blackwood, but this application was declined. At a Newton Hearing on Friday 7 November HHJ Bowes rejected that Suter had taken a knife to the cemetery to cut flowers and identified the minimum starting point for his sentencing would be 25 years in prison.

Today at Portsmouth Crown Court he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years and an additional four months to be served consecutively for the indecent assault.

Following the sentencing Detective Inspector Martin Longyear said: “I welcome today’s sentence that underlines the seriousness of Suter’s offending and recognises his attempts to delay the legal proceedings. Our detailed investigation ensured the strength of the evidence against Suter that has brought us to this result.

“This case has understandably caused significant distress to Ann’s family and I hope that today’s sentence helps them to move forward safe in the knowledge that Suter will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. We understand the impact of crimes like this to the wider community, and we are committed to bringing offenders like Suter to justice”.

Following today’s sentencing Ann Blackwwod’s family have issued the following statement: “Our family have been absolutely devastated by the tragic loss of Ann Blackwood. A loving, caring, kind-hearted mother, sister and friend who was a very popular member of her local community, loved and respected by everyone who knew her. 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”.