Tributes paid to Sir Richard Sutton as murder probe launched
Tributes have been paid to landowner and hotelier Sir Richard Sutton after he was found stabbed to death.
Sir Richard, one of Britain's richest men, owned the Stainton Estate in Market Rasen, a string of London hotels and the 6,500 acre Benham Estate in West Berkshire.
He was found dead following an incident at a property in Gillingham, Dorset.
Dorset Police said a man in his 80s suffered fatal stab wounds at a property in Higher Langham on Wednesday evening.
A woman in her 60s, believed to be Sir Richard’s wife, was injured in the incident and was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where she is receiving treatment.
A man, who police said was known to Sir Richard, has been arrested in London and nobody else is being sought over the death.
A Dorset Police spokesman added: "A 34-year-old man from the Gillingham area was arrested on suspicion of murder and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening."
Dorset Police have appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact officers.
Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly died and the injured woman at this extremely difficult time and they are being supported by specially trained officers.
“We will be carrying out a full investigation to establish exactly what happened at the address in Higher Langham, and I would appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area on the evening of 7 April to please contact us.”
His Newbury-based company Sir Richard Sutton Ltd released a statement paying tribute saying: “We are deeply saddened and devastated by the sudden death of Sir Richard Sutton.
“Sir Richard was a caring, generous and warm family man, who genuinely regarded those who worked for him as part of his extended family.
“His loss will be felt by everyone within the company, those who worked with him, and his family who have lost an incredible individual.
“Our thoughts are with the Sutton family at this tragic time."
