Overview
- A jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court found Clifton George guilty of murder on Wednesday, 3 June, after a month-long trial where he denied murder but had already pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson.
- Prosecutors relied on digital evidence and contemporaneous notes and voice recordings kept by the victim to show a pattern of abuse and that she had recently tried to end the relationship.
- A post-mortem reported bruising consistent with punching and strangulation before multiple stab wounds, which prosecutors say, combined with testimony, supported intent to kill or cause really serious harm.
- Mr Justice Constable KC ruled the statutory partial defence of loss of self-control could not be put to the jury because the evidence did not meet the legal tests, narrowing the jury’s task to intent.
- George remains remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 9 June, a result that police and prosecutors said offers some measure of justice for the victim’s family and could prompt renewed focus on domestic-abuse reporting and support.