Man charged with murder of Sir Richard Sutton

A man has been charged and appeared in court in connection with the investigation into the murder of hotelier Sir Richard Sutton.

Thomas Schreiber, aged 34 and from the Gillingham area, has been charged with murder, attempted murder and dangerous driving and appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court today.

Sir Richard Sutton owned the freehold of London's Athenaeum and Sheraton Grand Park Lane hotels.

Dorset Police received a report at 7.30pm on Wednesday 7 April raising concern for the welfare of the occupants of an address in Higher Langham near Gillingham. Officers attended the address and found Sutton and a woman aged in her 60s, both with serious injuries.

Sir Richard Sutton was pronounced dead at the scene. An initial post-mortem examination indicated that the cause of death was stab wounds to his chest. The injured woman was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where she remains in a critical condition.

Detective inspector Simon Huxter, of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), said: "Our thoughts remain with the victims' family and all of those affected by this terrible incident.

"Following a detailed investigation, we have consulted with the Crown Prosecution Service. As a result, Dorset Police have been authorised to formally charge Thomas Schreiber with the murder of Sir Richard, attempted murder of the injured woman and dangerous driving.

"It is important to stress that it would be entirely inappropriate for Dorset Police to comment further ahead of the trial. It is vital that the criminal justice system is allowed to follow its course.

"I would like to remind the public that this matter is now the subject of active court proceedings and the individual charged in connection with this investigation has a right to a fair trial. It is important that there should be no commentary or sharing of information online or on social media that could potentially prejudice these proceedings."