The partner of a beloved charity worker was fatally stabbed her before setting their £1.4 million home ablaze, a court was told yesterday. Annabel Rook, 46, was killed by her partner Clifton George, 44, at her home in Hackney, North London, on June 17.
Police and 40 firefighters were called to her Dumont Road residence following a massive gas explosion that completely blew out the front bay window of the property and scattered debris across the street.
At Snaresbrook Crown Court yesterday, George denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He also admitted to arson and recklessness regarding endangering life.
Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn said: “The defendant was found in the garden with burns to his head and self-inflicted knife wounds to his arms and neck.
“He was asked by the paramedic if there was anyone else in the property. He responded, ‘My wife, she’s dead’.
“Paramedics discovered Ms Rook with multiple stab wounds, and it appeared she had been dead for several hours. A preliminary post-mortem confirmed that she died as a result of the knife wounds she suffered.”
Mr Justice Constable remanded George in custody ahead of his four-week trial set for April 27, 2026.
Ms Rook was the co-founder of MamaSuze, a refugee and women’s organisation that uses art to aid victims of forced displacement and gender-based violence.
Her family released a heartfelt tribute, stating: “Annabel was a truly wonderful woman. She touched the hearts of so many.
“She dedicated her life to aiding the vulnerable and disadvantaged, whether in African refugee camps or through establishing MamaSuze in London, to improve the lives of survivors of forced displacement and gender-based violence.”
MamaSuze expressed their grief in a statement, saying: “Annabel was a profound force for good in the world, dedicating her working life to supporting women survivors.”
