Fatal Stabbing and Theft Allegation at Old Bailey
A woman is accused of fatally stabbing her film director sister in the neck and stealing her diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch, the Old Bailey court was told.
Nancy Pexton, 69, stands charged with the murder of her older sister, Jennifer Abbott Dauward, also known as Sarah Steinberg, who was found dead at her flat in Mornington Place, Camden, north London, on 10 June.
Three days after the incident, a neighbour forced open Abbott's door after becoming concerned due to the absence of the usual barking of her corgi.
Abbott's body was discovered on the living room floor, bearing a neck wound and with gaffer tape over her mouth. She was not wearing her Rolex watch, which she was reportedly "greatly attached to" and rarely removed, jurors were informed.
Prosecution Details Timeline and Evidence
During the opening of the case on Thursday, prosecutor Bill Boyce KC stated there was no evidence indicating Abbott was alive following Pexton's visit that day.
The sisters had spoken by phone at 11:36 BST. Pexton then traveled by bus to her sister's flat at 12:45 BST and remained there for approximately an hour.
After allegedly killing her sister, who was nine months her senior, Pexton contacted her GP claiming she had taken an overdose, according to Boyce.
She was subsequently transported to hospital by ambulance, where she remained until her arrest on 18 June.
The court heard that Pexton was reportedly covered "from top to bottom" in her sister's blood following the killing. While in hospital, she allegedly requested one of her daughters to either wash or dispose of the blood-stained clothes.
The defendant explained the presence of blood by stating she had hugged her sister during a nosebleed.
"She said she could not remember what had happened in the previous 90 minutes, which was the period we say she was undoubtedly in her sister's flat, the period we say she murdered her sister."
Discovery of the Body and Police Findings
Jurors learned that Abbott's body was found at her flat on the afternoon of 13 June.
The victim's niece, Mai Pexton, had arrived at the property and was banging on the door, calling out for her "auntie".
A neighbour broke down the door after noticing the unusual silence of Abbott's corgi, which was normally barking, the court heard.
Emergency services were called after the body was found on the floor.
Firefighters freed Abbott's corgi, which had been locked in the bathroom, Boyce added.
Boyce informed the court that Abbott typically wore a Cartier bracelet and a gold diamond-encrusted Rolex watch of "real sentimental value."
The watch was later found during a police search of Pexton's bag.
The defendant allegedly responded,
"Oh yes, that's my sister's. She asked me to look after it."
A post-mortem examination revealed Abbott had sustained multiple stab and slash wounds, as well as a single defensive wound to her right hand.
Legal Proceedings and Defendant's Position
Boyce emphasized that the central issue in the trial is whether Pexton, who has two adult daughters, was responsible for her sister's death.
Pexton, who has no fixed address, denies the charge of murder. The trial is ongoing.
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