A TEENAGER accused of murdering his grandmother, restaurant owner Sue Addis, has arrived at court for the start of his trial.

Mrs Addis, who owned popular restaurants Donatello and Pinocchio’s in The Lanes and North Laine, was found dead at her home in Cedars Gardens in Brighton on January 7 last year.

Pietro Addis, of Radinden Manor Road, Hove, denies murdering his 69-year-old grandmother.

As a jury was sworn in yesterday at Lewes Crown Court, the 19-year-old sat in the dock with his head bowed.

Reporting restrictions protected the identity of Addis until his 18th birthday in March last year.

The Argus: Pietro Addis arrived at Lewes Crown Court for his trial this morningPietro Addis arrived at Lewes Crown Court for his trial this morning

Mrs Addis’ death caused shock around Brighton, with hundreds paying tribute to the grandmother.

In the days after her death, the Addis family released a statement that remembered Mrs Addis as “a pioneering figure in the Brighton and Hove business community”.

"To us, she was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother and, as a family, we now ask for time and space to grieve her loss and begin to come to terms with life without her,” it said.

Rossano Scamardella QC is prosecuting the case, with Sarah Elliott QC and Daniella Waddoup defending.