Latest news with #CliffordCowen
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Master manipulator convicted of murdering his fiancée and leaving her dead in an overflowing bath in fake accident scene
A master manipulator has been convicted of murdering his fiancée and staging the scene to make her death in an overflowing bath look like an accident. Clifford Cowen called 999 on June 23, 2024, claiming he was worried about his partner Rita Fleming after looking through her letterbox in Maida Hill. But when police and paramedics arrived at her Kensington flat, they found the 70-year-old dead in the bath, still clothed and suffering severe injuries. Cowen, 59, immediately tried to distance himself, urging officers to check CCTV to prove he had not been there. His behaviour led to his arrest at the scene on suspicion of murder. Detectives later discovered he was a controlling and abusive partner who tried to present their relationship as loving. Messages and voice notes revealed how he would often get drunk and verbally abuse Ms Fleming. Cowen, of Kensington Park Gardens, was charged with her murder on July 5. After a four-week trial at the Old Bailey, a jury took just six hours to convict him. DCI Foxwell added: 'He attempted to cover up his actions with an elaborate alibi, however officers were able to unpick this along with evidence of his controlling and manipulative behaviour. Rita was much loved by her family and friends and I hope that Cowen's conviction gives them an element of closure. 'We understand how isolated victims of domestic abuse can feel. We encourage anyone to contact police and report so we can support alongside our specialist partner agencies.' Cowen will appear at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, September 1 for sentencing.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
‘Cowardly' fiancé, 59, is convicted of murdering woman, 70, found wearing nightdress in overflowing bath
A "MASTER MANIPULATOR" has been convicted of murdering his fiancée after her body was found in an overflowing bath. Clifford Cowen, 59, told a 999 dispatcher he had concerns for 70-year-old partner Rita Fleming - claiming he'd spotted her feet sticking out the end of her bed after peering through the letterbox. 3 3 However, when cops arrived at the property in Golborne Road in Kensal Town, west London, on June 23 last year they found her fully clothed in a nightdress in the bath, having suffered multiple injuries. Officers at the scene became suspicious of Cowen as he repeatedly told them to check CCTV to prove he hadn't been at Rita's address - and he was arrested. In interview, Cowen tried to claim that he was in a loving relationship with Rita, however officers found multiple messages and voice notes indicating that he would regularly get drunk and verbally abuse her. He was charged with murder on July 5 2024 and following a four-week trial at the Old Bailey he was found guilty on Thursday. The killer will appear at Kingston Crown Court on September 1 for sentencing. DCI Alison Foxwell said: "As our investigation into Rita's death developed, it became clear that Clifford Cowen was a controlling and abusive partner. "Clifford called 999 that day and attempted to make Rita's death look like an accident, as though she had drowned in the bath. "Thanks to the information given by key witnesses and the work of our Specialist Crime Team, we have been able to show the court what a cowardly individual Cowen is. "Cowen is a master manipulator who tried to portray his relationship with Rita as a loving one. "He attempted to cover up his actions with an elaborate alibi, however officers were able to unpick this along with evidence of his controlling and manipulative behaviour. "Rita was much loved by her family and friends and I hope that Cowen's conviction gives them an element of closure. "We understand how isolated victims of domestic abuse can feel. "We encourage anyone to contact police and report so we can support alongside our specialist partner agencies."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
'Abusive' man who murdered partner before attempting to stage false scene convicted after police uncover lies
An 'abusive' man from west London who murdered his partner before attempting to stage a false scene has been convicted after police uncovered his lies. Rita Fleming, 70, was found by parademics unresponsive in a bath at her home in Maida Hill, Kensington on June 23, 2024 after being killed by Clifford Cowen, 59. She was fully dressed and covered in severe injuries, prompting the Metropolitan Police to launch an investigation. But Cowen claimed to have been concerned for Ms Fleming's welfare after looking through the letterbox of her property. He repeatedly insisted officers check CCTV footage to prove he had not been at the address, prompting police to arrest him at the scene. Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who led the Met's investigation, said it soon transpired he was a 'controlling and abusive partner' who attempted to portray the pair's relationship as a loving one. Scotland Yard later uncovered messages and voice notes indicating that Cowen would regularly get drunk and verbally abuse Fleming. We understand how isolated victims of domestic abuse can feel Alison Foxwell Cowen was charged with murder and found guilty following the conclusion of a four-week trial at the Old Bailey, taking a jury just six hours to reach their verdict. DCI Foxwell added: "He attempted to cover up his actions with an elaborate alibi, however officers were able to unpick this along with evidence of his controlling and manipulative behaviour. Rita was much loved by her family and friends and I hope that Cowen's conviction gives them an element of closure. "We understand how isolated victims of domestic abuse can feel. We encourage anyone to contact police and report so we can support alongside our specialist partner agencies." Cowen, of Kensington Park Gardens, will be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on September 1.
