Woman found to have killed husband in Brighton declared unfit to plead

A woman who fatally stabbed her husband at their Brighton home has been given an indefinite hospital order after a jury found she committed the act but was unfit to stand trial. Andrew Rowland-Stuart, 70, was found dead at his flat in Lavender Street on 27 May 2024. A post-mortem revealed he died from multiple […]

A woman who fatally stabbed her husband at their Brighton home has been given an indefinite hospital order after a jury found she committed the act but was unfit to stand trial.

Andrew Rowland-Stuart, 70, was found dead at his flat in Lavender Street on 27 May 2024. A post-mortem revealed he died from multiple stab wounds.

His wife, Joanna Rowland-Stuart, now 71, was arrested at the scene and later charged with murder. However, psychiatric assessments determined she was not fit to enter a plea or participate in a trial due to her mental health. This was confirmed by a judge at Lewes Crown Court on Monday, 21 July.

As a result, a trial of facts was held at the same court to establish whether she was responsible for the unlawful killing. On Thursday, 24 July, the jury concluded that she had committed the act. Joanna Rowland-Stuart was subsequently made the subject of an indefinite Hospital Order under Section 41 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell of Sussex Police said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Andrew and we want to thank everyone who has assisted us in this complex investigation.”

Andrew’s family, who returned to New Zealand following the tragedy, expressed gratitude to those who supported them through the ordeal. In a statement, they said:

“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved with this case over the past year”.

“To DC Anna Stacey for her care and communication with the family while we were in England and back home in New Zealand, and to Andrew’s Sussex 4×4 family, especially Jason who helped us immensely while we were there.”