Earlston Bennett, 58, from Croydon, has been found guilty of murdering his partner Sarah Reynolds and of controlling and coercive behaviour. The verdict was delivered at Southwark Crown Court on October 6, following a prosecution by the Homicide Unit at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) London.
Pattern of abuse revealed in court
The CPS described a harrowing pattern of abuse throughout the relationship. Bethan David, deputy chief crown prosecutor for the CPS London Homicide Unit, said: "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Sarah Reynolds."
David added: "The evidence in this case painted a devastating picture of the fear, isolation and control Sarah experienced in the years leading up to her death, and her injuries exposed the violence and cruelty inflicted on her behind closed doors at the hands of someone she should have been able to trust."
Fatal incident on April 12
In the early hours of April 12, 2025, Bennett called an ambulance to their Croydon home, claiming Ms Reynolds had taken an overdose. Paramedics found her unresponsive in the living room and noticed fresh bruising on her body. Bennett dismissed the injuries and insisted she had overdosed.
Ms Reynolds was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination revealed extensive internal and external injuries, with the pathologist concluding she died from blunt force trauma to the head and torso. No evidence of an overdose was found.
Isolation and manipulation
The court heard that Bennett had been abusive and controlling throughout their relationship, with messages revealing aggressive and emotionally manipulative behaviour. Ms Reynolds had become increasingly isolated from loved ones, and friends and family had noticed unexplained bruising.
Bennett is due to be sentenced later this year on December 4. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or are worried about someone who may be, support is available through the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) in England or the Live Fear Free helpline (0808 80 10 800) in Wales.
