London murder trial hears Annabel Rook feared partner was 'on the warpath'
A London court has heard new testimony in the murder trial of Clifton George, who is accused of killing his partner, Annabel Rook, at their home in Stoke Newington last June.
Jurors were told Rook had warned in a voice message shortly before her death that he was "on the warpath".
The court heard that Rook, 46, sent messages to her sister describing George's behaviour as abusive and saying she no longer felt the relationship was tenable.
In one recording played to jurors, she said she feared there would be "more wrath to come".
Prosecutors allege George punched Rook, tried to strangle her and stabbed her 22 times during an argument in the couple's living room.
The court also heard that he started a fire after the killing, causing a gas explosion described in court as a "mini earthquake".
The case is significant because it sets out the prosecution's account of the events leading to Rook's death and the alleged violence used against her.
George has admitted he was responsible for killing her but denies murder, instead pleading guilty to manslaughter on the basis of loss of self-control, a plea prosecutors have not accepted.
Jurors were also told that Rook had spoken to her father, a retired Old Bailey judge, about George bullying her and flying into rages over "trivial things".
