Murdered hotelier was "the kindest and most generous man"
Sir Richard Sutton's family members have been describing their grief at the sentencing of his murderer.
Last updated 21st Dec 2021
The family of Sir Richard Sutton have described the loss of a "generous, loving, elderly man".
Thomas Schreiber was convicted following a three-week trial at Winchester Crown Court of killing the 83-year-old millionaire hotelier at his Dorset country estate on April 7, 2021, and the attempted murder of 66-year-old Anne Schreiber.
Family members told the court that Sir Richard was loved by everyone who knew him.
Reading his victim impact statement to the court, Sir David Sutton, son of Sir Richard Sutton, said:
"I think of my father every single day. I just cannot believe and comprehend that he is not here anymore.
"I will never see him again, only in memories in my mind, which too easily become fogged over by the horrendous ending he had.
"Having only seen my father in person twice in the previous 15 months due to lockdown and the fact he was isolating, it was a real surprise when he came down to our home in February 2021 to bring me a birthday gift.
"It was a special time; we gave him a whistle-stop tour of the projects we had achieved during lockdown.
"Little did I know at that time that would be the last time I saw him. It was made especially pertinent as a week later I wrote a thank you letter to him and in there I stated all the things we could do together once lockdown was over and we felt safer from this disease, one of which was to go to Durdle Door in Dorset to take some photographs - photography being a passion that we both shared, and a passion for me that was encouraged by my father from an early age.
In a statement released following the sentencing of Thomas Schreiber at Winchester Crown Court for the murder of the millionaire hotelier, they said:
"We welcome the outcome of the trial and that justice has been seen to be done.
"However, this was a tragic and devastating loss of life, taken far too early, of a generous, loving, elderly man who only wanted to enjoy his twilight years; an elderly man who was our father, a brother, a grandfather and a friend to all who knew him.
"We will treasure our memories of him forever and his values, of being warm and compassionate to all those he met and worked with, will live on; as will the love, respect and devotion he showed to his family and friends every day.
"In business, Sir Richard had a passion for excellence, whether in his hotels, property or farming interests.
"The British countryside has lost an amazing champion who was, above all, an active and committed farmer.
"He taught us all about the importance of protecting and preserving the environment around us and the need to leave it in a better place for future generations.
"We will never forget him, nor his never-ending kindness and generosity. He will be sorely missed.
"We want to thank the team of detectives, the police liaison officers, the CPS and Mr Adam Feest QC for their support, and for bringing this heinous crime to justice."