Electrician guilty of murdering partner and blowing up their London home | UK criminal justice
A man who fatally stabbed his partner and then set off a gas explosion at their north-east London home last summer has been found guilty of her murder.
Clifton George, 45, had denied killing charity founder Annabel Rook, 46, during an argument at their home in Stoke Newington on June 17, 2025.
He admitted manslaughter, but denied the murder charge, claiming he lost self-control when he punched, choked and eventually stabbed Rook.
But on Wednesday, at the end of a four-week trial, a jury at Snaresbrook crown court found George guilty of murder.
According to prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC, the trial concluded that George’s defense could not be relied upon due to “overwhelming” evidence of George’s short temper and mistreatment of Rook.
The court heard how George punched Rook and tried to strangle him during an argument. He then stabbed her multiple times with a kitchen knife, the prosecution said.
“He lost his temper and killed Annabel in a rage,” Jones told the court. The court was told George was an aggressive and bullying partner who was prone to outbursts of anger over trivial matters.
Rook, one of the founders of MamaSuze, which works to create safe homes for women fleeing violence and supports refugee women, was stabbed at least 22 times, including in the heart, the court heard.
Jurors were told George, an electrician, then opened the valve on the propane gas cylinder, left all the gas rings in the house open and started a fire in the basement.
The resulting explosion “created a huge explosion”, lifting floorboards, shifting furniture and causing serious damage to the property and the house next door, the court heard.
Police and fire crews rushed to the couple’s home in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, just before 5am on June 17 last year, after the explosion, which neighbors likened to a “mini earthquake”, shattered the property and blew off part of the roof.
In a police interview, George said he “lost it” when Rook told him their 10-year relationship was over.
His lawyers pursued a loss of self-control defense. On Tuesday Judge Constable KC told jurors that George could not legally rely on that defence.
The court heard Rook had previously promised to leave her abusive partner but had failed to keep that promise. He had previously told his family and friends about these outbursts and described living with it as like “walking on eggshells”.
“The only possible conclusion on the evidence is that Clifton George was clearly prepared and capable of sudden, unreasonable anger,” the judge said.
When the guilty verdict was given, George reportedly showed little emotion, while Rook’s friends watching from the spectator gallery were upset.
“He touched the hearts of so many people,” his family said. “He devoted his life to helping the vulnerable and disadvantaged.”
George remains in custody and will be sentenced on June 9.
