22-year jail term for woman who murdered her sister in London

A woman who murdered her sister in her London flat and stole her Rolex watch has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years.

Nancy Pexton stabbed Jennifer Abbott 10 times and left her body for three days in the property in Camden, a court heard.

On Wednesday an Old Bailey jury convicted Pexton, 70, of murdering Abbott, a film director, on 10 June last year.

Sentencing Pexton on Friday, Judge Anuja Dhir said she was sure Pexton had 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 said taping up her sister’s mouth was a “deliberate act of degradation” which was “callous, demeaning and cruel”.

She added: “This act demonstrates the depth of your animosity and hostility towards your sister. You took the watch because it was valuable and because you were jealous of your sister’s greater financial security.”

Jennifer Abbott’s body was found with gaffer tape over her mouth. Photograph: Metropolitan Police/PA

Abbott, a 69-year-old US citizen, was captured on a doorbell camera as she returned from walking her corgi, Prince, at 7.36am on 10 June 2025.

Pexton spoke to her by phone at 11.36am and travelled by bus to her flat in Mornington Place at 12.45pm, leaving an hour later.

She then called her GP, reported taking an overdose and was taken to hospital, where she stayed until her arrest on 18 June.

On 13 June, a neighbour used a scaffolding pole to break down Abbott’s door after becoming concerned that he could not hear her dog barking. Her niece, Mai Pexton, had been seen banging on the door and screaming for her “auntie”.

Abbott’s partially naked body was found on the living room floor with gaffer tape over her mouth. She had a large, “slash-type” wound across her neck, jurors heard.

Her gold Rolex, a gift from her son, Brad Carlson, which she never took off, was missing. It was later recovered by police from Pexton’s bag after they visited her in hospital. When questioned about it, Pexton said she had been given it to “look after”.