Man jailed for life after stabbing partner to death before blowing up their home in gas explosion

A man has been jailed for life for stabbing his partner to death before blowing up their home.

Clifton George, 45, killed his partner Annabel Rook, 46, by stabbing her 31 times during a row at their east London home after she had said they should end their 10-year relationship.

Mr Justice Constable KC sentenced George to life in prison and ordered he serve at least 23 years in prison before becoming eligible for release at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

In the aftermath of the killing, George started a fire in the basement of the Stoke Newington property to cause a gas canister explosion, which ripped through the house.

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George, who had worked as an electrician on major projects such as Crossrail and the Northern Line extension to Battersea Power Station, previously denied a murder charge, arguing he had lost self-control when he punched, throttled and ultimately stabbed his partner.

Mr Justice Constable KC said: George had the ability to be friendly and fun, but he had "another troubling side to your character".

He added: "An overwhelming picture has emerged of your rage, anger, and volatility.”

The judge continued George had a “pronounced temper” which could be sparked by trivial matters and “perceived slights”.

He added: "She feared you, she feared your wrath.

"In your rage and fury, you brutally stabbed Annabel to death."

Ms Rook’s father, retired Old Bailey judge Peter Rook, branded George "utterly selfish" while her mother, Susanna Rook, called him "a wicked, totally narcissistic, damaged person".

Delivering a victim impact statement in court, Mrs Rook held back tears as she hailed her daughter as “optimistic, inclusive, and full of fun”.

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She said: "We know we will never be able to come to terms with her death, and life without her is painful and hard to bear.

"We do feel Clifton betrayed the trust we placed in him. We welcomed him into the family in every way we could.

"Bearing in mind his short fuse, particularly when in drink, we realise his inability to understand and address his own problems means he is, was, and will continue to be a dangerous man.”

Ms Rook’s sister Sophie added: "Without Annabel, there is less joy and less hope."

Police and firefighters rushed to the couple’s home in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, just before 5am on June 17 last year after an explosion.

The blast, which ripped through the property and blew off part of the roof, was likened by neighbours to a "mini earthquake".

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

He admitted "I lost it" in the aftermath of the attack, and the trial heard how George had been furious with his partner for keeping a secret from him.

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