Following the sentence of life imprisonment imposed on Thomas Schreiber at Winchester Crown Court, for the murder of Sir Richard Sutton and the attempted murder of Anne Schreiber, Ms Schreiber’s daughters have issued the following statement.

“We would like to thank the emergency services involved, including but not limited to, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Dorset Police local officers and the armed response unit, and the South Western Ambulance Service paramedics that attended Moorhill on the 7 April 2021. We would like to personally thank PC George Bryant of the armed response team and Dr Godfrey and his team at Bristol Southmead Hospital. All of these people worked tirelessly to save our mother’s life and we are eternally grateful.

“There is little peace to be found in Friday’s verdict and today’s sentencing. We respectfully ask for privacy going forward as we grieve for Richard, and come to terms with all that we have lost.”

Thomas Schreiber, 35, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 36 years following a trial at Winchester Crown Court, where he was convicted of murder and attempted murder. Schreiber had previously admitted dangerous driving.

Dorset Police received a report at around 7.30pm on Wednesday 7 April 2021 raising concern for Sir Richard and his partner, Anne Schreiber, which led to officers attending their address at Higher Langham near Gillingham.

The officers entered the property and found that Sir Richard, 83, and 65-year-old Ms Schreiber, had sustained stab wounds.

Sir Richard was pronounced dead at the scene at around 9.15pm. A post-mortem examination indicated that the cause of death was stab wounds to the chest.

Ms Schreiber was airlifted to hospital with multiple stab wounds. She has been left with severe and life-changing injuries as a result of the attack.

Thomas Schreiber, who had been living with Sir Richard and his mother Anne, had contacted a number of people he knew that evening and made comments that raised concerns for their welfare.

Following enquiries and assistance from Wiltshire Police, Hampshire Constabulary, Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police, the defendant was stopped in a vehicle in the Hammersmith area of London at around 10.30pm and was arrested.

After sentencing, judge the Honourable Mr Justice Graham commended the firearms officer who administered first aid to Anne Schreiber at the scene, as well as the police crime scene investigation team, family liaison officers and the investigation team.

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the family of Sir Richard and Anne and I again want to thank them for their support during the investigation and trial process as well as the dignified way they have conducted themselves throughout.

“I would also like to repeat my thanks to all those officers and staff from Dorset Police and other forces involved in this detailed investigation, as well as the CPS prosecution team for the role they have played in helping to secure this conviction and sentence.”