A woman described as 'callous and cruel' has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering her own sister and stealing her diamond-encrusted Rolex watch. Nancy Pexton, 70, carried out a brutal attack on 69-year-old Jennifer Abbott at her flat in Camden, north London, on June 10 last year. She slashed and stabbed her sister ten times before covering her mouth with adhesive tape in what the judge called a final 'act of degradation'.
Details of the Attack
Pexton, who had no fixed address, was found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey. On Friday, she was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years. The court heard that Pexton had previously written that her sister had destroyed her life 'with her mouth'. After the killing, Pexton sent her own daughter to check on Ms Abbott, knowing she would find her dead.
Evidence of Jealousy
When police recovered the Rolex from Pexton's bag, she claimed her sister had given it to her for safekeeping. She also alleged that she got blood on her clothes while hugging Ms Abbott during a nosebleed. However, messages from months earlier revealed deep-seated jealousy and animosity. Pexton wrote: 'I'm planning to kill my sister whom I love but she destroyed my life. Loose lips, loose lips can sink ships – and she sank my ship.'
Judge's Remarks
Sentencing, Judge Anuja Dhir KC stated that Pexton intended to kill her sister given the 'ferocity' of the attack. She said: 'Your actions and conduct after the killing demonstrates not only your absence of remorse but also a deliberate and callous attitude towards what you had done.' The judge added that taping her sister's mouth was a 'deliberate act of degradation' that was 'callous, demeaning and cruel'. She noted that Pexton took the watch because it was valuable and because she was jealous of her sister's financial security.
Victim's Son's Tribute
Ms Abbott's only son, Brad Carlson, described the killing as a 'monstrous' and 'heinous' act by someone he had previously tried to help. He said the loss of his mother, who devoted herself to supporting him, was an 'unbelievable nightmare'. He called her his 'hero' and 'role model', noting that she overcame early difficulties, bought property, wrote books, and made movies. He said: 'She was a single mother raising her only child, committed to providing me with the life she was not lucky enough to have. Most importantly she gave me love and a feeling of belonging and pride. She was my whole world.'
Case Background
The court heard that Ms Abbott, a US citizen, was last seen alive on a doorbell camera returning from walking her corgi, Prince, at 7:36 am on June 10. Pexton spoke to her by phone at 11:36 am and took a bus to her Mornington Place flat at 12:45 pm, leaving an hour later. She then called her GP, reported taking an overdose, and was taken to hospital, where she remained until her arrest on June 18.
On June 13, a neighbour used a scaffolding pole to break down Ms Abbott's door after becoming concerned about her dog's silence. Ms Abbott's partially naked and decomposing body was found on the living room floor with a large slash wound across her neck and gaffer tape over her mouth. Her corgi was trapped in the kitchen and freed by firefighters. The Rolex watch, a gift from her son that she never removed, was missing.
Months earlier, Ms Abbott had confided to her nephew that she feared for her safety, saying Pexton was 'capable of anything'. In notes on her phone, Pexton, who suffered from depression, wrote about killing her 'evil' sister. After her arrest, Pexton claimed she was just 'venting' and had no memory of the 90 minutes she spent in the flat. However, examination of her black cowboy hat and blue dungarees showed they were covered in her sister's blood. The flat also showed signs of a cleanup attempt.
Pexton denied wrongdoing and declined to give evidence, appearing in court via videolink from Bronzefield jail.
Prosecution Statement
Devi Kharran, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Today, Nancy Pexton has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 22 years' imprisonment for the murder of her own sister, Jennifer Abbott. Ms Abbott's death is an unimaginable tragedy. Whilst no sentence can bring her back, I hope today's outcome can give her family and friends some sense of closure. Pexton carried out a brutal and callous attack, taking Ms Abbott's life in the very place she should have felt safest, at the hands of someone she should have been able to trust. She then attempted to cover her tracks, took her sister's most treasured possession, and repeatedly denied what she had done.'
