Man killed with 'chilling brutality', court hears

A man murdered his own cousin with "chilling brutality", a court has heard.

Donald Excell, 49, is accused of killing Rita Lambourne, 58, with an axe at her home in Bexhill, East Sussex, on 12 February.

Prosecutor Simon Gledhill told the jury at Lewes Crown Court that Mr Excell had struck his relative four times with an axe with "chilling brutality and ruthless efficiency".

Mr Excell denies murder and possession of a bladed article.

Mr Gledhill said the blow to her chest was delivered with such force it went "straight into her heart".

"There is no doubt it was his intention to kill her," he told the court.

"No one could have survived that injury."

The entire incident was over in under three minutes, jurors were told.

Mr Excell "cooly and calmly" walked out, leaving Ms Lambourne lying on her living room floor, Mr Gledhill said.

Ms Lambourne - described by her family as a "much loved member of the community" - was discovered after her worried partner asked family to check on her.

A police search of Mr Excell's flat found he had a collection of bladed weapons, the court heard.

Officers later found a small forest axe in a pond where a bag had been discovered containing an axe sheath and sandbag.

Financial records show Mr Excell had bought the same axe in 2019.

Prosecutor Mr Gledhill said the cousins got on relatively well until about 2022 after which there was a "falling out".

In summer 2023, the prosecutor said Mr Excell appears to have confronted Ms Lambourne and threatened to kill her.

Ms Lambourne messaged a family member about the incident, saying Mr Excell - who she called a "crazed maniac" – had "lost it completely".

"I believe that he is a very dangerous person," she said.

Mr Excell said nothing and did not offer an alibi when interviewed by police, the court heard.

Ms Lambourne's family said in a statement she was "adored by her family and friends".

The trial continues.

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