A 34-year-old man has been charged with the murder of millionaire hotelier Sir Richard Sutton.
Dorset police said Sutton, 83, who owned a string of top hotels in London, died on Wednesday during an incident at a property near Gillingham.
A woman in her 60s, named in reports as Sutton’s wife, was seriously injured in the incident and was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where she remains in a critical condition.
It is believed both were stabbed, the force said.
Thomas Schreiber, from the Gillingham area, has been charged with murder, attempted murder and dangerous driving and is due before magistrates in Poole on Monday. Schreiber is reported to be Sutton’s stepson.
DI Simon Huxter, of Dorset police’s major crime investigation team, 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.”
Sutton was listed at number 435 in the Sunday Times rich list in 2020 with an estimated family fortune of £301 million – a rise of £83 million on the previous year.
The guide says Sutton’s company owns London hotels the Sheraton Grand Park Lane and the Athenaeum, plus three smaller venues.
He had an extensive property and farming portfolio, including the 6,500-acre Benham estate in West Berkshire and the Stainton estate in Lincolnshire.