Brighton murder trial opens

The trial of a man accused of stabbing his wife to death outside the Brighton office where she worked started in Lewes today (Monday 15 July).

Ty Medland, 26, of Cavell Avenue, Peacehaven, admits killing his wife Samantha Medland, 24, after their marriage ended but he denies murdering her.

Richard Barton, prosecuting, opened the trial at Lewes Crown Court.

He said that Mrs Medland had moved out of her mother-in-law’s home at the end of Januar.

And that Medland, armed with four knives, killed her on Sunday 17 February in Queen Square, Brighton, outside the Domestic and General offices where she worked.

She had arranged to collect her belongings from Medland but instead he stabbed her to death.

Medland admits manslaughter but Mr Barton said that, on the bus journey to Brighton, Medland texted friends to say that he intended to kill his estranged wife and then kill himself.

Mr Barton added: “It is noteworthy that he succeeded comprehensively in the former, that is, killing his wife, and failed miserably in the latter, in his attempt on his own life.”

The trial continues.