Sussex News and @ImJustBrighton have obtained exclusive video footage of the arrest of Joanna Rowland-Stuart, a 70-year-old trans woman, who has appeared in court accused of murdering her husband, believed to have been with a samurai sword.
Joanna Rowland-Stuart, a retired LGBT rights worker, has been charged with the murder of her husband, Andrew Rowland-Stuart, at their flat in Brighton. Emergency services responded to the incident on Lavender Street shortly after 7:30 PM on Monday, May 27th. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Andrew, also 70 years old, was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.
The exclusive video captures the moment Ms. Rowland-Stuart was led from the block of flats to an awaiting police car in handcuffs and taken into police custody. Ms. Rowland-Stuart appeared before magistrates in Crawley on Friday. During the hearing, she confirmed her name through a sign language interpreter, as she is deaf. She has been remanded in custody ahead of her hearing at Lewes Crown Court on June 3rd.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell, of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, provided a statement regarding the ongoing investigation:
“This is a fast-moving investigation, and our enquiries are ongoing as we seek to establish the full circumstances which led to Andrew’s tragic death. Our thoughts remain with his loved ones at this difficult time. In the meantime, we are urging the public not to speculate but to come forward with any information which may be able to assist us.”
