Craig Savage has been charged with the murders of Heather Whitbread, 53 and her daughter Michelle, 32 who were murdered on Friday in St Leonards, East Sussex. The man, who is of no fixed address, appeared before Brighton Magistrates Court via video link earlier on today. According to sources, he held his head in his hands and covered his face as he was read his charges.
The prosecutor, Suzanne Soros, said that he stands accused of threatening a member of staff at a sports centre with violence in order to steal the murder weapon. She continued ‘He gained entry through [a] broken window and shot both women. He left the property and was confronted by armed officers’. His ‘official’ further charges are committing robbery in relation to the theft of a .22 calibre firearm rifle and its ammunition from the 1066 Target Sports.
The official family statement reads ‘Heather and Michelle were both beautiful people that filled our lives with laughter. They were both special, generous and kind people who love life but most of all their family. They will be sorely missed leaving a gap that can never be filled…’ This tragic incident tore a family apart with the death of two generations and it could be suggested a crackdown on gun crime across the world could prevent further events such as this from happening.
Reports from inside the courthouse state that he was dressed in a grey tracksuit, holding a bottle of water while speaking quietly to confirm he could hear the proceedings and tell the court his date of birth and nationality. He was remanded in custody and was told he is due to appear at a crown court next week on Wednesday or Thursday. The attack has rocked East Sussex but police have consistently reaffirmed that this was an isolated incident of a rare nature and there is no further threat of violence in relation to this crime.
