Judge gives evidence in murder trial of daughter’s partner

A woman whose partner killed her before he allegedly attempted to blow up their home endured years of “emotional abuse”, a court has heard.

- Charlotte Reck

Clifton George, 45, is alleged to have punched and strangled Annabel Rook before stabbing her 22 times and later starting a fire that caused a gas explosion at the home they shared in Stoke Newington, London. George, who is standing trial at Snaresbrook crown court, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, blaming Rook’s death on a loss of self-control, but denies murder. He also pleaded guilty to arson.

Rook, who co-founded a London-based social enterprise to support migrant and refugee women, was the daughter of retired Old Bailey judge Peter Rook.

Giving evidence in court last week Joshua Rook, the victim’s younger brother, described the couple’s decade-long relationship as “unhealthy” and said the family believed George was “emotionally abusive”.

“She was always having to sort of tread on eggshells,” Joshua Rook said. “She was concerned about what he might say and concerned about him being angry at her.”