Director allegedly murdered by sister ‘was knifed eight times'
Jennifer Abbott, 69, known professionally as Sarah Steinberg, was found dead in her north London flat by her niece, her body 'partially decomposed' with her diamond-encrusted watch missing, on June 13.
Her sister, Nancy Pexton, also 69, appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday charged with her murder.
The court was told that Abbott suffered eight wounds from behind, including a slash across the neck and a sharp trauma behind the collarbone that had penetrated a lung.
Ben Holt, for the prosecution, said that Pexton had visited her sister at her home in Camden on June 10 at about 12.30pm for an hour.
Pexton, of no fixed abode, is due to enter a plea on September 9 but in a police interview denied murdering her sister.
Holt told the court that Abbott was last seen on CCTV walking her corgi Prince near her home at about 7.30am on June 10.
He said: 'The defendant visited her at 12.30 that afternoon and left one hour later.
'She was identified as a significant witness and provided a statement. She accepted that she had seen her.'
The court was told that on June 13, Abbott's niece, Mai, had visited her aunt out of concern for her wellbeing and forced her way in with the help of a neighbour after there was no response at the door.
Holt said: 'The deceased was lying on the living room floor covered by a blanket, partially clothed and blood dripping from her nose.'
He said adhesive tape was covering her mouth and a roll of tape was found in the kitchen with blood on it.
Abbott's niece phoned the police and her aunt was pronounced dead at the scene.
The niece told officers that her aunt's Rolex was missing. Abbott's corgi was left locked in the bathroom for three days but survived.
A post-mortem examination on June 15 gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma.
Abbott has directed films, written books and has been photographed with celebrities including Keanu Reeves, Dan Aykroyd, Paris Hilton and Kate Hudson.
Judge Judy Khan remanded the defendant in custody.
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