MURDER accused Thomas Schreiber was told to “do something meaningful with your life” months before the fatal attack which killed Sir Richard Sutton.

Thomas Schreiber, 35, is currently standing trial at Winchester Crown Court, accused of murdering Sir Richard Sutton and attempting to murder Anne Schreiber, Sir Richard’s partner and the defendant’s mother.

The defendant denies the allegations, which relate to incidents at Moorhill in Higher Langham, Gillingham, on April 7, 2021.

The prosecution called its first witnesses in the trial on Wednesday afternoon.

Thomas Schreiber’s sister, Louisa Schreiber, said the defendant and their mother began arguing a lot following the death of their father in 2013.

Louisa Schreiber said her parents' separation was "an upsetting time for us all".

"The separation and moving to Richard's home seemed a good temporary solution but it upset Tom a lot, it was a very difficult time,” she told the court.

"Tom was frustrated at Richard. The father figure, the big house, the status. There could have been more help for Dad, more paid help, there was resentment there, that was my observation."

One Boxing Day a few years before the incidents, the family returned from Wincanton races when Thomas Schreiber was asked to drive to a meal that evening by his sisters Louisa and Rose but said no.

His sister Rose then called him a “selfish *****” and an argument broke out.

Louisa Schreiber found the defendant on top of Rose, with his hands around her neck.

The incident was calmed and the defendant underwent a weekend of anger management.

However, in November 2020, an argument between the family broke out when Louisa Schreiber was offered her late grandmother’s chandelier by her mother, Anne Schreiber.

"Tom got very cross and said I would like you to talk to me about that before you start offering our family's furniture,” she said.

“I got really upset. It was an argument between Tom and I. Richard said calm down, then Thomas said, 'none of your business, stay out of this'. Tom carried on, said things that were extremely hurtful, how I took from Dad, taking property from him.

"I got really upset and launched forward and slapped him round the face.

"It continued into the hallway. Tom punched me round the face. Then my partner pulled Tom off, they went into the conservatory, then it stopped."

In January 2021, an argument began between Louisa and Thomas via text, the court heard.

Louisa Schreiber told the defendant he was “very troubled” and to “do something meaningful with your life instead of hating”.

Sir Richard died after being fatally stabbed in the side of the chest. Anne Schreiber suffered life-changing injuries after being stabbed multiple times in the face, chest and back.

Thomas Schreiber, of Gillingham, denies murder and attempted murder. The trial continues.