A woman has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 22 years for fatally stabbing her sister, a film director, in the neck and stealing her diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch. Nancy Pexton, aged 70, was found guilty of murdering Jennifer Abbott, 69, on June 10 last year. The Old Bailey trial revealed that Pexton stabbed her sister 10 times, covered her mouth with tape, and left her body in her Camden flat for three days. The prosecution stated that Pexton, driven by jealousy, had a turbulent relationship with her sister, marked by frequent arguments and reconciliations. Testimony from Ms. Abbott’s son described an underlying animosity between the siblings.
Concerned about Ms. Abbott’s well-being, the family sent Pexton’s daughter to check on her, leading to the discovery of the gruesome crime scene. Remarkably, Ms. Abbott’s pet Corgi was found alive in the bathroom after surviving alone for three days. Following the murder, Pexton feigned an overdose and sought medical attention, but police later found incriminating evidence, including the stolen watch, in her possession. Additional proof of Pexton’s resentment emerged from notes on her phone, expressing thoughts of harming her sister and grievances towards other family members.
During the trial, prosecutor William Boyce emphasized Pexton’s deceitful nature and emotional turmoil, labeling her as both a manipulative killer and a habitual liar. Despite maintaining her innocence, Pexton, who was slightly younger than her victim, refrained from testifying. The jury at the Old Bailey swiftly reached a guilty verdict after less than three hours of deliberation.
