Latest news with #MamaSuzeCIC
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Partner of charity boss found stabbed to death in home after gas explosion appears in court charged with her murder
The partner of a charity boss found stabbed to death after a gas explosion ripped through her home has appeared in court charged with her murder. Annabel Rook, 46, was found dead at her address in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, North London just before 5am on June 17. Clifton George, 44, appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court charged with murdering Ms Rook and arson with recklessness as to whether life would be endangered. He was remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 24 while his trial was fixed for June 1 2026. Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn said: 'We invite the court to fix a four week trial date. 'We understand that June 1 2026 is a date that the court can accommodate, and we ask the court to fix that trial date today.' Judge Oscar Del Fabbro told George: 'You will next attend here on September 24 when you can expect to be arraigned, that is to enter for pleas. If necessary further directions will be given.' Police were called to Ms Rook's house along with 40 firefighters after the gas explosion. The front bay window of the property was completely blown out that morning, with debris including plants, wooden shutters and glass scattered across the street. Two children, aged seven and nine, were also taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident but are not thought to have been inside the home when the explosion happened. Ms Rook co-founded charity MamaSuze CIC supporting refugee and migrant women. Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who is in charge of policing for the Central East Basic Command Unit, said yesterday: 'Our thoughts continue to remain with the family and friends of Annabel as they navigate this devastating loss. 'We ask that the public refrain from speculation and respect their privacy at this time, and we thank the Hackney community for their ongoing support.' Ms Rook's family have said they were 'struggling to come to terms with this terrible tragedy. 'We have lost our beautiful daughter, sister, friend and mother.' In the tribute released through the Met Police the family said: 'Annabel was a truly wonderful woman. She touched the hearts of so many. 'She gave her life to helping the vulnerable and the disadvantaged whether it was in refugee camps in Africa or setting up MamaSuze in London, to enhance the lives of survivors of forced displacement and gender-based violence. 'We would really appreciate it if our privacy could be respected.' MamaSuze said in a statement it was 'devastated by the loss of our beloved co-founder' adding: 'Annabel was a profound force for good in the world, dedicating her working life to supporting women survivors.' Anyone with information that could assist the investigation into the incident has been urged to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 926/17June. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- The Independent
Man charged with murder of woman found stabbed to death after gas explosion
A man has been charged with the murder of Annabel Rook, who was found stabbed following a gas explosion at her home. Clifton George, 44, is also charged with arson with intent to endanger life and will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court later on Monday. Ms Rook, who worked for charity MamaSuze CIC, which she co-founded, was found fatally injured at a house in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, north-east London, just before 5am on June 17. Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, of the Metropolitan Police, said: 'Our thoughts continue to remain with the family and friends of Annabel as they navigate this devastating loss. 'We ask that the public refrain from speculation and respect their privacy at this time, and we thank the Hackney community for their ongoing support.'
North Wales Chronicle
18-06-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Woman stab victim in house explosion had ‘boundless optimism', say charity
Annabel Rook, 46, was found fatally injured at a house in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, north-east London, just before 5am on Tuesday. A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, with police describing the victim's death as 'a domestic-related incident'. John Martin, artistic director of PAN Intercultural Arts, where Ms Rook worked with young refugees for 16 years until 2022, described her as 'a larger-than-life character' who joined the charity as a volunteer with lots of energy. In a personal tribute, Mr Martin told the PA news agency: 'She came to learn the techniques that we had to work with young refugees, and soon we took her on as a full artist, as a facilitator, to run workshops for us with unaccompanied asylum seekers, especially minors, and with young refugees. 'She brought lots of happiness and joy, and I've had many, many of them (the refugees) who've heard the news get back to me last night and today to say how devastated they are.' Ms Rook went on to form a pioneering new group under the charity's umbrella, called the Amies project, which works with traumatised female survivors of trafficking through the use of the arts, drama, creative writing and design art. The group went on to win national awards and helped to form choirs that sang all over the UK, Mr Martin said. He added: 'Annabel's energy brought a lot to the women and gave them new hope. 'This was her speciality, I think – a sort of a boundless optimism, a boundless self-confidence, which she transferred onto other people.' Mr Martin said he had seen Ms Rook at a charity event in London around a month ago, where she was 'very friendly and ebullient as always'. Reflecting on the news of her death, he told PA: 'It was a massive loss for us, a massive shock when we heard what had happened. 'She spent her life, certainly the 10, 12 years that I knew her, fighting against women who had been abused, fighting against violence to women, and the irony is that she then suffered from violence to women in the way that she died yesterday.' More recently, Ms Rook had co-founded the MamaSuze CIC charity that supports refugee and migrant women, some of whom had fled domestic violence, with art and drama activities. The organisation said in a statement shared on Tuesday that it was 'devastated by the loss of our beloved co-founder' and that she treated everyone with 'warmth and kindness'. 'Annabel was a profound force for good in the world, dedicating her working life to supporting women survivors,' it added. Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the scene early on Tuesday. The front bay window of the property was completely blown out that morning, with debris including plants, wooden shutters and glass scattered across the street. Two children, aged seven and nine, were also taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident but are not thought to have been inside the home when the explosion happened.
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Woman stab victim in house explosion had ‘boundless optimism', say charity
Annabel Rook, 46, was found fatally injured at a house in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, north-east London, just before 5am on Tuesday. A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, with police describing the victim's death as 'a domestic-related incident'. John Martin, artistic director of PAN Intercultural Arts, where Ms Rook worked with young refugees for 16 years until 2022, described her as 'a larger-than-life character' who joined the charity as a volunteer with lots of energy. Emergency services attended the scene and examined the property following the explosion (Yui Mok/PA) In a personal tribute, Mr Martin told the PA news agency: 'She came to learn the techniques that we had to work with young refugees, and soon we took her on as a full artist, as a facilitator, to run workshops for us with unaccompanied asylum seekers, especially minors, and with young refugees. 'She brought lots of happiness and joy, and I've had many, many of them (the refugees) who've heard the news get back to me last night and today to say how devastated they are.' Ms Rook went on to form a pioneering new group under the charity's umbrella, called the Amies project, which works with traumatised female survivors of trafficking through the use of the arts, drama, creative writing and design art. The group went on to win national awards and helped to form choirs that sang all over the UK, Mr Martin said. He added: 'Annabel's energy brought a lot to the women and gave them new hope. 'This was her speciality, I think – a sort of a boundless optimism, a boundless self-confidence, which she transferred onto other people.' Mr Martin said he had seen Ms Rook at a charity event in London around a month ago, where she was 'very friendly and ebullient as always'. Reflecting on the news of her death, he told PA: 'It was a massive loss for us, a massive shock when we heard what had happened. 'She spent her life, certainly the 10, 12 years that I knew her, fighting against women who had been abused, fighting against violence to women, and the irony is that she then suffered from violence to women in the way that she died yesterday.' More recently, Ms Rook had co-founded the MamaSuze CIC charity that supports refugee and migrant women, some of whom had fled domestic violence, with art and drama activities. The organisation said in a statement shared on Tuesday that it was 'devastated by the loss of our beloved co-founder' and that she treated everyone with 'warmth and kindness'. 'Annabel was a profound force for good in the world, dedicating her working life to supporting women survivors,' it added. Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the scene early on Tuesday. The front bay window of the property was completely blown out that morning, with debris including plants, wooden shutters and glass scattered across the street. Two children, aged seven and nine, were also taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident but are not thought to have been inside the home when the explosion happened.
South Wales Guardian
18-06-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Woman stab victim in house explosion had ‘boundless optimism', say charity
Annabel Rook, 46, was found fatally injured at a house in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, north-east London, just before 5am on Tuesday. A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, with police describing the victim's death as 'a domestic-related incident'. John Martin, artistic director of PAN Intercultural Arts, where Ms Rook worked with young refugees for 16 years until 2022, described her as 'a larger-than-life character' who joined the charity as a volunteer with lots of energy. In a personal tribute, Mr Martin told the PA news agency: 'She came to learn the techniques that we had to work with young refugees, and soon we took her on as a full artist, as a facilitator, to run workshops for us with unaccompanied asylum seekers, especially minors, and with young refugees. 'She brought lots of happiness and joy, and I've had many, many of them (the refugees) who've heard the news get back to me last night and today to say how devastated they are.' Ms Rook went on to form a pioneering new group under the charity's umbrella, called the Amies project, which works with traumatised female survivors of trafficking through the use of the arts, drama, creative writing and design art. The group went on to win national awards and helped to form choirs that sang all over the UK, Mr Martin said. He added: 'Annabel's energy brought a lot to the women and gave them new hope. 'This was her speciality, I think – a sort of a boundless optimism, a boundless self-confidence, which she transferred onto other people.' Mr Martin said he had seen Ms Rook at a charity event in London around a month ago, where she was 'very friendly and ebullient as always'. Reflecting on the news of her death, he told PA: 'It was a massive loss for us, a massive shock when we heard what had happened. 'She spent her life, certainly the 10, 12 years that I knew her, fighting against women who had been abused, fighting against violence to women, and the irony is that she then suffered from violence to women in the way that she died yesterday.' More recently, Ms Rook had co-founded the MamaSuze CIC charity that supports refugee and migrant women, some of whom had fled domestic violence, with art and drama activities. The organisation said in a statement shared on Tuesday that it was 'devastated by the loss of our beloved co-founder' and that she treated everyone with 'warmth and kindness'. 'Annabel was a profound force for good in the world, dedicating her working life to supporting women survivors,' it added. Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the scene early on Tuesday. The front bay window of the property was completely blown out that morning, with debris including plants, wooden shutters and glass scattered across the street. Two children, aged seven and nine, were also taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident but are not thought to have been inside the home when the explosion happened.
