Stab victim told sister of separation, court told

"Annabel Rook, 46, who was killed by her partner Clifton George, sent her sister Sophie Rook screenshots of messages between her and George in early June last year. In the messages, Annabel Rook told George she thought they needed to have a trial separation, and he said "let's be realistic it's not going to be a trial". George is alleged to have punched, strangled and stabbed Rook at their Stoke Newington home. He then started a fire and caused a gas explosion that ripped through the property, the court heard previously."

"Prosecutors said George, 45, had a short temper and murdered his partner when he flew into a rage on the night of 16 June last year. George admitted responsibility for the killing and pled guilty to manslaughter and arson, but denied murder, and blamed the fatal stabbing on a loss of self-control. PA Jurors at Snaresbrook Crown Court were told Sophie Rook had dinner with her sister days before she died, during which they discussed the separation."

"Sophie Rook described her sister as her best friend and said they "trusted each other and confided in each other". She added that she found her sister's partner George "quite sensitive" and "would be careful" about what she said around him. At the end of 2013 Annabel Rook was living in Dumont Road with two of Sophie Rook's friends, and George moved in at a later date, the court heard. The friends moved out, and Sophie Rook told the jury that in 2015 she thought her sister and George were arguing a lot more."

A woman was killed by her partner in their North London home. Weeks before she was stabbed, she forwarded her sister screenshots of messages with the partner discussing a trial separation. The partner allegedly punched, strangled, and stabbed her, then started a fire that caused a gas explosion. Prosecutors said the partner had a short temper and killed her during a rage on 16 June. The partner admitted responsibility and pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson, denying murder and claiming loss of self-control. Her sister described close trust between them and said they discussed separation shortly before the death. She also described the partner as sensitive and said the couple communicated less over time.

Read at www.bbc.com