THE trial of a 19-year-old charged with the murder of his grandmother is due to start today.

Pietro Addis, of Radinden Manor Road, Hove, denies murdering his 69-year-old grandmother, restaurant boss Sue Addis, on Thursday 7 January last year.

The popular restaurant owner was found dead with multiple stab wounds at her home in Cedars Gardens, Brighton.

A jury was sworn in yesterday at Lewes Crown Court and the trial is being presided over by Judge Christine Laing QC, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove.

The 19-year-old sat in the dock with his head bowed during the opening of the trial yesterday. The final jury of 12 from the group of 14 sworn in will be chosen today before the prosecution's case opens.

Ahead of the opening of the case, the jury was warned by the judge not to seek out any information on proceedings and not to discuss it outside of the courtroom.

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

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

She first opened Pinocchio’s with her husband Pietro in 1987 and shortly afterwards opened the 400-seat Donatello in Brighton Place in The Lanes.

The Argus: Sue Addis was a popular figure in BrightonSue Addis was a popular figure in Brighton

In 2004, the restaurant chain was named as one of the Top 100 in the country and the family built an empire worth around £6 million.

Celebrities, footballers and MPs paid tribute to the popular businesswoman who did a large amount of charity work within the community.

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton, said: “So shocked and saddened to hear devastating news of death of the amazing Sue Addis.

“So many in Brighton will be heartbroken – she was such a special presence in the city, her passion for this place & its people was infectious, & her kindness legendary.

“She’ll be hugely missed.”

In the days after her death, the Addis family released a statement which 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.

At his previous appearance at Hove Crown Court, Addis denied the murder of his grandmother in front of Judge Laing QC.

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

The jury was told the trial is expected to last for eight days.