A man has been charged and is due to appear in court in connection with a murder investigation in North Dorset.
Dorset Police received a report at 7.30pm on Wednesday 7 April 2021 raising concern for the welfare of the occupants of an address in Higher Langham near Gillingham.
Officers attended the address and found a man aged in his 80s and a woman aged in her 60s, both with serious injuries. It is believed both had sustained stab wounds.
The ambulance service also attended. Very sadly, the injured man was pronounced dead at the scene at around 9.15pm.
An initial post-mortem examination that was conducted on Friday 9 April 2021 indicated that the cause of death was stab wounds to his chest.
The victim has now been formally identified as Sir Richard Sutton.
The injured woman was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where she remains in a critical condition.
The family of the victims are continuing to be kept fully updated by members of the investigation team.
Following enquiries, a man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the Hammersmith area of London on the evening of Wednesday 7 April 2021.
He was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening and was subsequently taken into police custody on his release from hospital.
Thomas Schreiber, aged 34 and from the Gillingham area, has now been charged with murder, attempted murder and dangerous driving and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Monday 12 April 2021.
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.”
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