A man has been found guilty of murdering his long-term partner before causing an explosion in her home. 

Clifton George, 45, was prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service’s London Homicide Unit.

He had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered but denied murdering Annabel Rook, 46.

On 3 June 2026, following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, George was found guilty of murder. He is due to be sentenced at a later date.

On the night of 16 June 2025, George assaulted Ms Rook before fatally stabbing her at their home in Stoke Newington. In the early hours of the next morning, he caused an explosion which resulted in significant damage to the property.

When emergency services arrived, George was in the garden. He told paramedics that Ms Rook was inside and that he had killed her.

A post-mortem examination found that Ms Rook had suffered bruising to her head, face and neck, consistent with punching and strangulation, before she was stabbed multiple times.

Catherine Gould, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Annabel Rook. It is devastating that her life was taken in such a violent manner in her own home by someone she should have been able to trust.

“She was a deeply caring and empathetic person who had set up a charity working with women traumatised by domestic and sexual abuse.

“Clifton George sought to minimise his actions by claiming he had lost control. However, the evidence demonstrated that after assaulting Ms Rook, he retrieved a knife and returned to continue the attack, and the prosecution was able to prove the necessary intent for murder.

“We worked closely with the police to build the strongest possible case and to deliver justice for Annabel. We know that nothing can replace Annabel but hope that this verdict can bring some small measure of comfort to those who knew and loved her.”

Proving intent

To prove murder the prosecution has to satisfy the jury that the defendant either intended to kill or cause really serious injury to the victim.

Phone messages, voice notes, letters, notes, and witness statements presented in court painted a picture of a relationship that had been deteriorating for some time. Ms Rook told others living with George was like “walking on eggshells”, describing him as short-tempered. She also kept notes and letters she had written to herself documenting arguments and incidents involving his anger.

Prosecutors argued that George’s claim that he killed Ms Rook having lost control was not supported by the evidence. After punching and strangling Ms Rook, he left the room, got a knife, and returned to stab her to death.