Hammer attack history of car horror woman

Lizzie Parry

HORRIFIED villagers have today told of their shock after a woman's body was found close to a burning car.

Today police have revealed the dead woman is Jane Way, 69, of Manningtree Road, Stutton.

In 2006 Mrs Way was on trial at Ipswich Crown Court accused of hitting her husband Rolf repeatedly with a hammer. She had denied wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The jury did not reach a verdict at the end of the trial. It has not yet been revealed how she died and post-mortem results have proved inconclusive.

Further tests will now be carried out to establish the cause of death.

Officers carrying out inquiries in Stutton are keen to hear from anybody who may have seen the dead woman in the village in the days leading up to her death.

Carole Nadin, whose garden backs on to the site of the tragedy, was today still shocked at the incident which began at around 7pm on Sunday on a bridleway near to the A12.

She told how her husband dashed down the garden to help after he spotted flames.

Mrs Nadin, of Case Lane, said: “How could one not be shocked? It is awful. I can't think of anything like this happening here. My husband was in the kitchen when he first saw what I think must have been the first real flames.

“He ran across our back garden thinking it may be a bonfire out of control to see if he could help.

“As he got to the bottom of the garden there were a couple of very loud bangs and a cloud of blue sparks.”

She said they called the fire brigade but were told they were already on their way.

John Chandler who lives in Case Lane said: “I am quite shocked. I don't really know any details.

“Usually everyone knows everything here. It is not nice to think something like this has happened so near to home.”

The death is currently being treated as unexplained and it has been referred to the coroner.

- Anyone with any information in relation to this incident should contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500.