CRAWLEY MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING WIFE AND PENSIONER WITH WALKING STICK
At 38 years old, Daniel Appleton has been convicted of murdering his wife and an elderly woman.The court detailed how he pursued his wife, Amy Appleton, outside their home on Hazel Way and assaulted her on the driveway.
A bystander, 76-year-old Ms Seagrave, tried to intervene but was attacked and killed by Appleton with her own walking stick.
Following this, he returned to his wife and also murdered her with the same object.
Appleton initially claimed he had a psychotic episode, suggesting his actions were driven by uncontrollable stress.
Nevertheless, forensic analysis, including hair and nail samples, revealed traces of a psychoactive substance similar to LSD in his system at the time of the crimes.
He admitted to manslaughter but denied committing murder, and the jury at Hove Crown Court delivered a guilty verdict on Tuesday.
His sentencing has been scheduled for 25 January.
The court highlighted that Appleton chased and assaulted both women with a walking stick, leading to their respective deaths.
This incident took place in Crawley Down, West Sussex, on 22 December 2019.
His address was listed as Hazel Way, Crawley Down, and the victims were both killed with the same walking aid.
The evidence showed that, despite claims of a psychotic break, Appleton was under the influence of a psychoactive substance during the time of the killings.
