An electrician who stabbed his partner to death in a frenzied rage, then blew up their home in a gas explosion, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years.
Clifton George, 45, killed Annabel Rook, 46, by stabbing her 31 times during a row at their home in London’s Stoke Newington.
The couple had fought after she had said they should end their 10-year relationship.
George then started a fire in the basement in order to cause a gas canister explosion which ripped through the house.
George denied murder at a Snaresbrook Crown Court trial, but was convicted by a jury last week.
He was sentenced by Mr Justice Constable KC on Tuesday.
His attempt to claim loss of self-control as a partial defence fell apart during the trial, after jurors heard evidence of his short fuse, angry outbursts at Ms Rook, and at least one incident when he had been violent towards her.
Ms Rook, a charity worker who co-founded social enterprise MamaSuze to help refugees through arts workshops, is the daughter of retired Old Bailey judge Peter Rook.
She was punched, throttled, and then stabbed by George at their home in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, on the night of 16 June 2025.
In the aftermath of the murder, George triggered the gas explosion – likened by neighbours to an “mini earthquake” – which ripped through the property and blew off part of the roof.
George was found lying on the kitchen floor covered in blood and then tried to harm himself while Ms Rook lay dead in the living room.
In the aftermath of the killing, he admitted “I lost it” and the trial heard how he had lost his temper when he believed Ms Rook had told him a lie.
In his defence, George insisted he did not have a “short fuse”, but friends and family of Ms Rook gave evidence of his true character.
Ms Rook’s best friend, Sian Davin, told jurors she believed George needed therapy for his anger issues and described an incident when he pushed Ms Rook against a wall and grabbed her around the throat.
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The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men’s advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
