Latest news with #JenniferAbbott
Times
24-06-2025
- Times
Director allegedly murdered by sister ‘was knifed eight times'
An award-winning director allegedly murdered by her sister had been stabbed eight times from behind, a court was told. 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.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Film director, 69, discovered murdered in her Camden flat was stabbed eight times by her sister whose diamond Rolex watch was found in her bag when she was arrested, court hears
A film director discovered dead in her flat was stabbed eight times by her sister who was later arrested with her diamond Rolex watch, a court heard today. Jennifer Abbott, 69, was found by her niece Mai Pexton in her flat in Mornington Place on June 13 when she became worried about her, the Old Bailey was told. Ms Pexton and neighbours discovered Ms Abbott's body, partially covered with a sheet and with tape over her mouth, after breaking down her door. Her beloved Corgi, named Prince, survived after being left locked in the bathroom for three days before the director's body was found. Today Ms Abbott's sister Nancy Pexton appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Bronzefield charged with her murder. Wearing a grey tracksuit with curly long brown hair, Pexton only spoke to confirm her name and date of birth. It was heard the 69-year-old was arrested at a hospital days after Ms Abbott was found dead with her sister's Rolex in her property bag. Prosecutor Ben Hault said Ms Abbott was found dead on her living room floor, covered by a blanket. There were also 'signs of decomposition and blood' when the blanket was moved. 'There was a smear of blood around the body and black adhesive tape around the mouth,' he said. He added that the tape appeared to have been applied following the fatal injuries. Blood was found on the outer roll of the duct tape in the kitchen, while a knife was missing from a block, and smears of blood were found on the kitchen worktops. Ms Abbott sustained eight wounds to the neck and upper back, including a slash wound to the neck and a sharp trauma behind the collarbone reaching to the lung. The cause of death was sharp trauma to the neck behind the collar bone. Ambulance services attended the scene on June 13, where Ms Abbott was pronounced deceased at 6.08pm. The director was last seen on CCTV on June 10 at around 7.30am walking her corgi. It was heard that the director would usually wear a valuable Rolex watch and a Cartier bracelet. The Rolex was not found on the victim's body. Pexton, of no fixed abode, was arrested on June 18 and later charged with her sister's murder, with the Rolex having been recovered from a bag, the court was told A plea and preparation hearing has been set for September 9, with a provisional three week trial date was set for April 7 next year at the Old Bailey. Judge Judy Khan KC remanded the defendant into custody.
Sky News
20-06-2025
- Sky News
Missing Rolex case: Woman in court charged with murder after 69-year-old sister stabbed in her north London flat
A woman has appeared in court charged with the murder of her 69-year-old sister who was stabbed in her home. Jennifer Abbott - also known as Sarah Steinberg - was pronounced dead at her flat in Camden, north London, last Friday. Police previously said they believed the death could be linked to a missing diamond-encrusted Rolex watch. Nancy Pexton, also 69, appeared at Highbury Magistrates' Court today, where she spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth. It is understood she is nine months younger than her sister. Pexton, of no fixed address, wore a grey prison issue tracksuit at the short hearing. She was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday 24 June. Ms Abbott was found by her niece and neighbours, who broke her door down after her family had not heard from her for several days. She had last been seen walking her corgi in the area on 10 June. A post-mortem examination gave her cause of death as sharp force trauma. Detective Inspector Barry Hart previously said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the victim's loved ones who are being supported by specialist officers at this time." There has been an increased police presence in the area as detectives explore "several lines of inquiry".
The Independent
20-06-2025
- The Independent
Woman appears in court charged with murdering her sister at north London home
A woman has appeared in court charged with murdering her 69-year-old sister who was found stabbed inside her north London home. Nancy Pexton, also 69, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Friday charged with murdering her older sister Jennifer Abbott, also known as Sarah Steinberg, last Tuesday. It is understood Pexton and Ms Abbott are sisters, and Pexton is nine months younger than Ms Abbott. Ms Abbott was found dead by her niece and neighbours who broke her door down at her flat in Mornington Place, Camden, last Friday, after her family had not heard from her for several days. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma. Neighbours said they regularly saw Ms Abbott walking her pet corgi in the area with one describing her as 'exuberant' and 'vivacious'. The Metropolitan Police previously said officers were investigating whether Ms Abbott's death was linked to a diamond-encrusted Rolex missing from her home. In a short hearing, Pexton spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth. Softly-spoken Pexton, of no fixed address, wore a grey prison issue tracksuit and was flanked by two security officers in the dock. Deputy District Judge Lee Marklew remanded the 69-year-old in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday June 24. He told her: 'You will meet your barrister and will be given some advice in the coming weeks. 'This is an administrative hearing. You will be remanded in custody until then.'
The Guardian
20-06-2025
- The Guardian
Woman appears in court charged with murdering sister in north London flat
A woman has appeared in court charged with murdering her 69-year-old sister who was found stabbed inside her north London home. Nancy Pexton, also 69, appeared at Highbury Corner magistrates court on Friday charged with murdering Jennifer Abbott, also known as Sarah Steinberg, last Tuesday. It is understood Pexton and Abbott are sisters, and Pexton is nine months younger than Abbott. Abbott was found dead by her niece and neighbours who broke her door down at her flat in Camden last Friday, after her family had not heard from her for several days. A postmortem examination gave the cause of death as sharp force trauma. Neighbours said they regularly saw Abbott walking her pet corgi in the area, with one describing her as 'exuberant' and 'vivacious'. The Metropolitan police previously said officers were investigating whether Abbott's death was linked to a diamond-encrusted Rolex missing from her home. In a short hearing, Pexton, of no fixed address, spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth. Deputy district judge Lee Marklew remanded the 69-year-old in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 24 June. He told her: 'You will meet your barrister and will be given some advice in the coming weeks. This is an administrative hearing. You will be remanded in custody until then.'
