Daniel Appleton, 38, accused of murdering an elderly woman and his wife has told Hove Crown Court he loved his wife “more than she will ever know” and she loved him.

Mr Appleton accepts responsibility for the death of Sandy Seagrave, 76, and his wife Amy, 31, in Hazel Way but denies murder.

Jurors were previously told how Mr Appleton beat Ms Seagrave to death with her own walking stick before using it to kill his wife.

During the trial, Lewis Power QC, defending, asked how he felt towards his wife. Mr Appleton replied saying: “She was a very special person.”

Adding, “I knew her from a young age, she grew up with my sister,” and described her as caring and loving, saying “she would do anything for anyone”.

The court heard the couple had met in 2007, moved in together in 2017 and married in 2018.

Asked if there had been discussions about children, Mr Appleton said: “We both wanted to be parents but we were enjoying our life early on.”

The defence has argued Mr Appleton was experiencing a mental health breakdown that was out of his control, while the prosecution has claimed he experienced a psychotic episode after taking illegal drugs.

The court heard how Mr Appleton part-owned a car repair company and had experienced work stress and high blood pressure before the incident on 22 December last year.

The court was told Mr Appleton carried out an internet search regarding magic mushrooms on 11 December. However, Mr Appleton said he had been looking into the death of US rapper Juice Wrld following a drugs seizure.

Asked if he was intending to take magic mushrooms, Mr Appleton said: “No.”

He told the court he had taken magic mushrooms in Amsterdam in his 20s but “did not enjoy it” and had not taken drugs since then.

Mr Power asked him if he accepted that, by his actions, he was responsible for the death of his wife and Ms Seagrave.

Mr Appleton replied: “Yes.”

Asked if had knowingly taken any drugs, prescription or illegal, Mr Appleton said he had not.

The trial continues.

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Planning is underway in Tandridge to make sure next year’s local elections are Covid-safe.

Residents will go to the polls on 6 May 2021 to have their say on who represents them on issues affecting day to day life in the district.

Voting will take place in the County, District, Parish and Police and Crime Commissioner elections and residents in Caterham, Chaldon and Whyteleafe will also be able to vote in the Neighbourhood Planning Referendum.

Although the elections are not happening until May next year, plans are already in place to keep voters safe while casting their ballot at polling stations, using measures introduced during the current pandemic, such as the use of hand sanitiser, face coverings and clear floor markings.

Residents thinking about voting by post can apply now to make sure their application is processed early and their postal vote can be sent more quickly. The easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

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Surrey’s children’s social care workers have been celebrated for their continuing hard work throughout the pandemic.

The virtual ceremony hosted by The Chase star Paul Sinha saw fifteen awards given out including Children’s Social Worker of the Year, Most Outstanding Team, and the Dave Hill Lifetime Achievement Award, named in honour of the council’s executive director for children and families who passed away suddenly in June.

Mary Lewis, Surrey’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, congratulated the winners and thanked all teams for their hard work during the unprecedented circumstances of this year.

“I know how hard our staff have been working and I want to thank them all on behalf of the children and young people in Surrey. Particular congratulations must go to the award winners, who have been selected due to their exceptional standard of work.

“This year has delivered extraordinary challenges, and our staff has risen to every single one of them to make sure children and families are supported and cared for. These awards have allowed us to showcase the remarkable talent that we have here in Surrey and to celebrate the tireless work of individuals and teams, and I am very proud of all that we have achieved.”

Marissa Langley was crowned Children’s Social Worker of the Year after receiving multiple nominations. Described as an outstanding practitioner, a colleague added that Marissa “has a skill to make children feel that they are not a case but a person”.

Sandra Wilson, a personal advisor within the care leavers’ service, was awarded the prestigious Dave Hill Lifetime Achievement Award.

Described as “a champion of the young people’s voices”, Sandra was nominated by colleagues for going “above and beyond for a wide number of young people to ensure they are supported appropriately during really difficult times in their lives”.

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Firefighters are urging residents to stay away from the booze while they cook their Christmas meals.

The number of house fires in Surrey usually rises by a third during the festive period, with kitchen fires accounting for almost half of those (42%).

Families with children and older people cooking alone are most at risk, according the Surrey Fire and Rescue, who have published a list of guidelines to help keep people safe.

The guidelines include:

Denise Turner Stewart, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “We are all aware that there is a higher risk of a fire at Christmas, with more distractions and decorations within our homes. The Service is prepared to respond at any time with our wonderful crews and control staff working 24/7 throughout the festive period but we’re asking you to play your part to prevent fires from happening in the first place.”

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