A man described as “angry” allegedly fatally stabbed his partner before causing a gas explosion at their residence in east London. Clifton George, aged 45, is facing charges for the death of 46-year-old Annabel Rook following a dispute at their home on Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, on June 17, 2025.
During the trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, it was disclosed that George has acknowledged his involvement in Rook’s death by admitting to manslaughter. However, he refutes the accusation of murdering Ms. Rook.
The court was informed that the tragic incident occurred amid the couple’s deteriorating relationship, triggered by Rook instructing George to vacate the premises. Allegedly, George devised a plan to end his own life and cause a house explosion.
Reports suggest that George retrieved a knife from the kitchen and proceeded to stab Ms. Rook in the living room, displaying intense anger and distress thereafter. Subsequently, he ignited a fire in the house, igniting a gas canister which led to a significant explosion, causing substantial property damage and alerting neighbors.
According to prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC, the altercation between the defendant and Ms. Rook escalated with physical violence, culminating in her tragic demise. George’s actions were described as a result of heightened emotions, leading to the fatal outcome.
Annabel Rook, the daughter of retired Old Bailey judge Peter Rook, was deeply involved in a London-based social enterprise named MamaSuze, dedicated to assisting refugee and migrant women through arts and drama programs.
Emlyn Jones detailed that Ms. Rook suffered multiple stab wounds, with George discovered in the backyard attempting self-harm post-explosion. George reportedly confessed to authorities that he was responsible for Rook’s death.
The court proceedings revealed that George and Ms. Rook had been cohabiting for over a decade without being legally married. Despite George’s guilty plea to manslaughter, the charge of murder remains against him as the trial progresses.
Jurors are tasked with understanding the circumstances behind the fatal stabbing, including an evaluation of the couple’s troubled relationship. The court anticipates testimony from family and friends, as well as digital communications, to provide insights into the couple’s emotional state leading up to the tragic event.
George maintains his innocence of murder but has accepted responsibility for manslaughter. The trial is ongoing.