Man murdered partner before blowing up home

A man who killed his partner before starting a fire that triggered a gas canister blast has been found guilty of her murder.

Clifton George punched and tried to strangle mother-of-twoAnnabel Rook during a row before stabbing her 31 times, after she had said they should end their 10-year relationship.

The 46-year-old was found dead inside their house on Dumont Road in Stoke Newington, north London, in the early hours of 17 June.

George, 45, admitted manslaughter and arson but denied murder, blaming the killing on a loss of self-control. But the electrician was convicted of murder following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Courtand will be sentenced at a later date.

By the end of the trial, the judge, Mr Justice Constable KC, had ruled that George's defence could not be relied on, thanks to "overwhelming" evidence of his short temper and a pattern of abuse directed towards Rook.

The trial heard evidence that George was an aggressive and bullying partner who was prone to angry outbursts over trivial matters.

Rook, the daughter of retired Old Bailey Judge Peter Rook, had vowed repeatedly to leave her volatile partner, the trial heard.

Police and firefighters were called to the couple's home shortly before 05:00 BST after an explosion – likened by neighbours to an "mini-earthquake" – ripped through the property and blew off part of the roof.

George, who was found lying on the kitchen floor covered in blood, then tried to stab himself with a shard of broken glass while Rook lay dead in the living room.

During his trial, George admitted he "lost it" in the aftermath of the attack that he had been furious with his partner for keeping a secret from him.

In his defence, George insisted he did not have a "short fuse", but Rook's friends and family of gave evidence of his character.

Her best friend, Sian Davin, told jurors she believed George needed therapy for his anger issues and described an incident when he pushed Rook against a wall and grabbed her throat.

She said he had "unreasonable flashing rage" at times and would fat-shame and gaslight Rook.

In a voice note sent to a friend in May 2025, which was played to the jury, Rook described George becoming angry because she did not clean his knives properly.

"He kept saying things to me [like] you're a liar, you're a liar, Annabel," Rook said in the voice note. She continued: "I can't not make him angry, it's always going to happen."

The jury found George guilty of murder after deliberating for two and a half hours.

The defendant nodded slightly in the dock as the guilty verdict was delivered but showed little emotion, while friends of Rook broke down in tears in the public gallery.

Among those in the gallery was her father.

The retired judge said his daughter should be remembered for her "rich legacy of love and support for the vulnerable".

Rook was the co-founder of the not-for-profit organisation MamaSuze, which helps refugee and migrant women - some of whom have fled domestic violence - through art and drama activities.

"Annabel was a truly wonderful woman," her father said in a statement after the verdict. "One of the world's life-enhancers. Above all else, she was a much-loved mother devoted to her two fine sons.

"She was also a superb daughter, sister and, for so many, a close friend.

"Ironically, she was at the height of her powers in her tireless work to help vulnerable women.

"She had so much more to give. At least now there's been justice. But nothing will bring her back.

"We can be sure that her spirit will continue to inspire so many."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk