A woman is facing charges for allegedly fatally stabbing her sister, a film director, in the neck and subsequently taking her diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch, as presented in court at the Old Bailey.
Nancy Pexton, 69, is accused of murdering her older sister, Jennifer Abbott Dauward, who was also known as Sarah Steinberg, at her residence in Mornington Place, Camden, north London, on June 10.
Three days later, a neighbor became concerned about the absence of noise from Abbott’s corgi and forced open the door to her flat. Upon entering, he discovered Abbott’s body on the living room floor, which had a wound to her neck and gaffer tape covering her mouth. It was noted that Abbott was not wearing her Rolex watch, which she was said to be „greatly attached to“ and typically never removed, jurors were informed.
Details of the Incident
During the opening of the case on Thursday, prosecutor Bill Boyce KC stated that there was no evidence indicating that Abbott was alive after Pexton visited her that day. The sisters had a phone conversation at 11:36 BST, and Pexton arrived at her sister’s flat by bus at 12:45 BST, remaining there for about an hour.
Following the alleged murder of her 69-year-old sister, who was nine months older than her, Pexton reportedly contacted her general practitioner, claiming she had taken an overdose, according to Boyce.
She was subsequently transported to the hospital by ambulance, where she remained until her arrest on June 18. Boyce informed the jury, „She said she could not remember what had happened in the previous 90 minutes, which is the timeframe we assert she was undoubtedly in her sister’s flat, the timeframe we allege she murdered her sister.“
Discovery of the Body
Jurors learned that Abbott’s body was discovered at her flat on the afternoon of June 13. The victim’s niece, Mai Pexton, had visited the property and knocked on the door, calling out for her „auntie.“ A neighbor, noticing the unusual silence from Abbott’s corgi, broke down the door and subsequently called emergency services after finding Abbott’s body.
Abbott’s corgi had been confined in the bathroom and was later rescued by firefighters, as stated by Boyce.
Boyce further explained that Abbott typically wore a Cartier bracelet and a gold diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, which held significant sentimental value. The watch was later found in Pexton’s bag during a police search.
When questioned about the watch, the defendant allegedly replied, „Oh yes, that’s my sister’s. She asked me to look after it.“ A post-mortem examination revealed that Abbott had sustained multiple stab and slash wounds, along with a single defensive wound on her right hand.
Boyce emphasized that the primary issue in the case is whether Pexton, who has two adult daughters, is accountable for her sister’s death. Pexton, who has no fixed address, denies the murder charge. The trial is ongoing.
Bildquelle: ai-generated-gemini
