Clifton George has denied murdering his partner of 10 years but has admitted to arson after blowing their home up

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A man accused of stabbing his girlfriend before causing a gas explosion in their home had an “unreasonable flashing rage”, the victim’s best friend has told the court.

On June 17, 2025, Annabel Rook, 46, died after she was reportedly stabbed by her then partner, Clifton George, in their home in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington. A court heard the pair had an argument before George allegedly stabbed the victim before turning their home into a burning inferno by starting a fire and causing a gas explosion.

Sian Davlin, Annabel’s friend, has told jurors at Snaresbrook Crown Court that George subjected his ex partner to years of abusive behaviour, describing him as having an “unreasonable flashing rage”, reports The Mirror.

George has admitted responsibility for her death by pleading guilty to manslaughter but denies murder, blaming the fatal stabbing on a loss of self-control.

Davlin said she “felt sorry for” George, and initially wanted the relationship to work, before changing her mind after hearing about his “patterns” of abuse.

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“Did you want Annabel and Clifton George to stay together? Did you see it as a relationship that was working?” asked prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC.

“In the first few years I did and like her I thought if he got therapy then it could,” said Ms Davlin.

Later she added: “I did actually like Clifton and I felt sorry for him and I recognised where some of his issues came from so I was invested in the relationship, I wanted it to work.”

She described being told that George had pushed Ms Rook “against the wall and pushed his forearm” to her throat, as the moment she changed her mind.

Ms Rook was punched, strangled and stabbed 22 times by George at their home before he started a fire and caused a gas explosion that ripped through the property, the court heard previously.

Ms Davlin, who works as a refugee immigration solicitor, told the court that she and her husband, Deji Davies, were “kind of like family” with George and Ms Rook and said she knew “more than anyone” about their relationship.

Asked to name the main recurring issue between them, she said: “Clifton’s tendency to overreact about small trivial things and his temper when he overreacted.”

She said George was “insecure” and would often misconstrue jokes and would belittle, fat-shame and gaslight Ms Rook.

Ms Davlin recounted many arguments between the couple where George had lost his temper and flown into a rage between 2015 and 2025.

On one occasion, she asked George to “calm down and stop being so aggressive” during an argument in a London park.

She said he responded by accusing her of stereotyping him as an “angry black man”, the court heard.

“It was impossible to reason with him, there was no way he was going to listen to me in that instance,” said Ms Davlin.

Later that day, she sent a WhatsApp message to Ms Rook saying “it’s good for Deji to see the unreasonable flashing rage anger side too” in reference to George’s behaviour.

In another instance, on holiday in France, he accused her husband of being an “Uncle Tom” for siding with a white person in an argument.

Jurors heard that George often experienced racism and bigotry at work.

Ms Davlin also said that Ms Rook and George would have a yearly conversation about separating, but he would “manipulate” her on each occasion.

According to Ms Davlin, by the summer of 2024, Ms Rook was acknowledging that George’s behaviour was abusive.

“I believed that they were going to break up then … She was saying I need to do this, I can’t live life like this, his treatment is not right, it’s abusive,” said Ms Davlin.

A couple of weeks before her death, Ms Rook left her sister a message after she and George had argued and she concluded the relationship was “not tenable”.

“I fear there will be some more wrath to come,” she said, revealing it is “not a nice place to be”.

“I will get through this and will be stronger for it out the other side,” she said as she signed off the message, on June 1.

Ms Rook, the daughter of retired Old Bailey judge Peter Rook, was the co-founder of a London-based social enterprise called MamaSuze, which supports refugee and migrant women with art and drama activities and workshops.

George denies murder, but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson. The trial continues.

Drivers faced disruption on Bradford Road this afternoon after two vehicles were involved in a collision near Woodfield Street.

Emergency services remained at the scene. (Image: NQ)

Emergency services were called to the scene just after 11.50am, with recovery teams later arriving to remove the damaged vehicles.

Diversions were put in place as debris was cleared from the road and one of the cars was loaded onto a recovery truck.

One resident living nearby described being woken by the sound of the crash.

The black Vauxhall was towed away. (Image: NQ)

He said: “I had no sleep last night, I was trying to get my head down and I heard a massive bang, it woke me up in shock which made me feel spooked.”

Pictures from the scene showed a black Vauxhall Astra being prepared for recovery as traffic built up along the route.

The road is regularly used by drivers travelling towards Royal Bolton Hospital and surrounding areas from Weston Street, Manchester Road, and Plodder Lane.

A silver Honda Civic. (Image: NQ)

One driver involved in the collision told The Bolton News he was suffering from shock as well as injuries following the crash.

Recovery crews remained at the scene into the early afternoon as police and other emergency workers managed the road closure and diversions.

By around 1.40pm, the scene had been cleared and Bradford Road reopened fully to traffic.

Britain’s largest ever business delegation has travelled to the US aimed at bolstering transatlantic trade, amid political turmoil at home and tensions over the Iran war, which continues to inflict economic damage.

This week’s mission to Los Angeles, involving more than 200 firms, comes in the wake of the King’s recent state visit to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, which culminated with Donald Trump scrapping tariffs on UK-made whisky, in a major boost to the industry.

The deputation, which was originally to be led by Business Secretary Peter Kyle, is now being headed by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, along with trade minister Blair McDougall.

The so-called Greater Together LA expo will seek to build on the existing commercial partnership between the two nations, which accounts for 430 billion dollars of trade each year, around 1.5 trillion dollars of investment in each others economies and supports more than 2.6 million jobs on either side of the Atlantic.

The event will be co-hosted by Universal Music Group boss Sir Lucian Grainge and former Apple designer Sir Jony Ive, who jointly founded the creative collective LoveFrom.

Speakers include music impresario and Got Talent judge Simon Cowell, singer/songwriter Leona Lewis, designer Sir Paul Smith and astronaut Tim Peake.

It will also be attended by the chief executives of British Airways, News Corp and American Airlines.

Areas to be covered include co-operation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cultural exchange, fintech and scientific innovation.

The event is being held against a background of political upheaval in the UK, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer under pressure to quit following disastrous local election results for Labour, and fractious relations with the White House over the Middle East conflict that saw the US president threaten to change a trade deal with Britain.

While the Government has remained tight-lipped over the potential implications of recent developments for the major business event, insiders have pointed out the close, long-standing UK-US relationship runs deeper than individuals and current rifts.

The lasting partnership built on shared values was highlighted in a video message by the King to be played at the event, which continued the theme of his recent historic address to Congress.

Charles said: “The United Kingdom and the United States share one of the most enduring and consequential relationships in modern history, one forged through decades of collaboration and grounded in a shared belief in the power of enterprise, innovation and human endeavour.

“From our common language and vibrant creative industries to our academic partnerships, scientific collaborations, and technological innovations, our cultures are woven together in ways that are immeasurable, but of enduring value.”

The King added: “These ties are reflected not only on financial balance sheets, but in the living, breathing connections between our people, whose lives and livelihoods are so richly enhanced by them.

“During my visit to the United States the other day I was once again struck by the extraordinary warmth of the American people, by the natural affinity between our countries and by the importance of working together for the benefit of all.

“My conversations with businesses and entrepreneurs throughout that visit also reinforced what I have long believed, that our relationship is not merely a matter of shared history but a living dynamic partnership built on common values of democracy, freedom and opportunity.

“This is a partnership that must be continually renewed and strengthened for future generations.”

Charles went on: “So today, as you come together, I can only encourage you to deepen existing alliances and forge new ones.

“Your decisions, your willingness to think boldly about collaboration, will help create opportunities that benefit communities across the United Kingdom, the United States and beyond.”

Ms Nandy hailed the UK’s creative industries, sporting heritage and tourism as “among our greatest national assets” and said the LA expo provided an “extraordinary opportunity to showcase them on the world stage”.

The Labour Cabinet minister said: “From our music and film sectors to sport and the arts, this delegation will demonstrate the immense cultural and commercial value the UK brings to our partnership with the United States.

“I look forward to deepening those connections and opening new doors for British talent and creativity.”

Steven Dale, 70, is accused of committing fraud by false representation in connection with a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for Bury FC Heritage Ltd in February 2021.

He is also charged with failing to keep, preserve, or deliver adequate accounting records under the Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986.

The case was heard at Minshull Street Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss)

These charges are in connection with The Bury Football Club Company Limited and Dale Acquisitions Ltd.

Appearing before Minshull Street Crown Court for a brief plea and trial preparation hearing Dale, of Heath Rise, Whitmore, Staffordshire, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Judge Neil Usher set a trial date for June 11, 2029.

Dale bought Bury FC from Stewart Day for just £1 in December 2018 when Mr Day stepped down as chairman after six years.

In August 2019, the club was expelled from the English Football League after 125 years.

In 2020, Dale placed the company into administration and fans formed Bury Association Football Club while Bury FC was in crisis.

Dale’s son, Christian Dale, 41, also of Heath Rise, Whitmore, is charged with the same offences under the Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986 in relation to Dale Acquisitions Ltd.

He has not yet entered a plea.

Manchester City set to replace Pep Guardiola this summer after the manager called time on his tenure at the Etihad after 10 years

Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City at the end of the season to bring to an end an incredible decade at the Etihad. The Blues are looking to add the Premier League title this week to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup but it is understood that the manager has already agreed time to call time on his 10 years at the club

There has been speculation at various points in the last year that the City manager would depart this summer. Guardiola and City have pointed to the fact that the manager’s contract runs until 2027 – the manager did so again as recently as Monday’s press conference – and that he has never previously broken a contract, but an early departure is now expected with some staff having been resigned for weeks that the end was coming.

City have refused to comment on the story and Guardiola will be asked about it when he takes his team to Bournemouth on Tuesday for a game that they have to win. They will then finish the season on Sunday at home to Aston Villa in front of a record crowd at the Etihad, with a parade also announced for Monday.

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Enzo Maresca is expected to be the man picked to succeed Guardiola as the next City manager. The Italian originally worked in the club’s academy before returning as Guardiola’s assistant for the 2022/23 season as the team won the Treble.

He then left again to take charge of Leicester and after winning promotion back to the Premier League for the Foxes at the first time of asking, the coach went to Chelsea and won the Europa Conference League and then the Club World Cup. City spoke to Maresca earlier this season as the club considered options for if Guardiola were to leave, and he has been out of work since January when he left Chelsea by mutual consent.

City have not confirmed that Guardiola will leave or commented on their next moves, but whoever replaces Guardiola will face an impossible task to live up to a man who has changed the game forever. The Catalan leaves with a slew of records, including overseeing the first team to reach 100 Premier League points, the first to win four consecutive league titles in English football, the first to win all English domestic titles in one season, and just the second to complete the Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in a single campaign.

Victory at Wembley in the FA Cup final on Saturday added more silverware to Guardiola’s collection and they retain an outside shot of surprising Arsenal in the final days of the Premier League. Were the Blues to do that, the 55-year-old will have won 15 out of 30 major domestic trophies in the last decade in addition to the Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup, and three Community Shields.

Surprising foods you should refrigerate:

Hot sauce is one food that can go either way, depending on its label.

Are these taking up fridge space? They could go in the pantry.

Ricky Herawan / 500px via Getty Images

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The 58-year-old was found dead within a property in the Overtoun Court area of the West Dunbartonshire town.

A man has been charged over the mystery death of another man in Clydebank in 2024.

Officers from Police Scotland made the arrest and charge on Monday, May 18, following the death of Alistair Brennan on Thursday, October 17 2024 and a 19-month investigation.

The 58-year-old was found dead within a property in the Overtoun Court area of the West Dunbartonshire town.

A 28-year-old man is due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Tuesday, May 19, over the death of Mr Brennan.

Following searches of the Overtoun Court flats, bomb squads were called in when officers discovered a “suspect item” 11 days after Mr Brennan’s death. Several homes in the surrounding area were evacuated and train services were disrupted.

A controlled explosion took place on Monday, October 28, 2024. Two men were arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

A Police Scotland statement read: “A 28-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of Alistair Brennan in Clydebank.

“The body of 58-year-old Mr Brennan was discovered within a property in the Overtoun Court area on Thursday, 17 October, 2024. Officers arrested the man on Monday, 18 May 2026. He is due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 19 May, 2026.

“A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

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