A retired Old Bailey judge has issued a stark warning to victims of domestic abuse, urging them to "get out" before attempting to end an abusive relationship. The plea comes after his daughter, charity worker Annabel Rook, was brutally murdered by her partner when she tried to leave him.
The Crime
Clifton George, 45, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Annabel Rook, 46, at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The court heard that George stabbed Ms Rook 31 times in the living room of their home in Stoke Newington on June 16 last year. He had previously punched and throttled her before arming himself with a kitchen knife. After the killing, he attempted to blow up the house but survived the explosion.
The murder occurred after Ms Rook suggested a trial separation and asked George to move out. She even offered him £50,000 to start a new life, but he responded with fatal violence.
Father's Warning
Peter Rook, a retired judge who served at the Old Bailey, described his daughter as "unbelievably brave" but said her courage ultimately cost her life. He stated: "The most dangerous time is probably when there's going to be the separation, because if someone's a controlling personality that is likely to cause them to react strongly – if they perceive they're going to lose the person they're controlling."
He advised victims: "Don't take the course that Annabel did, which was unbelievably brave, but don't. The risks are just too high." His wife Susanna added: "Get out – however hard it is, find yourself a safe place. And then deal with him from afar."
Hidden Abuse
The Rooks revealed that George's abusive behaviour was kept hidden from them. They only learned the full extent of their daughter's suffering during the trial. Mrs Rook said: "He was always very careful to not show us how angry he could get."
Mr Rook, who gave evidence at the trial, said: "It's extremely difficult being the parent of a deceased in a murder case and I always knew it was going to be difficult – I'd seen other parents in cases that I've tried over years. But I suppose the cliche applies, nothing ever prepares you for it until you do it yourself."
Annabel's Legacy
Annabel Rook was a mother of two and a dedicated charity worker. She trained in dramatic arts before turning to humanitarian work. She spent six months in refugee camps in Ghana, taught in Uganda, and ran workshops for Pan Intercultural Arts. She also helped set up the Amies Freedom Choir for women who are victims of trafficking and co-founded the social enterprise MamaSuze, which supports women and children refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants through creative arts workshops.
Her mother said: "I think she felt that she'd had a wonderful life herself and she wanted to share that and help other people who hadn't been so lucky." Her father added: "She had the ability to get on with lots of different people, even though those different people might not get on famously well together. It's a rare ability. She was always driven, always wanting to help people. And that would be her legacy."
Call to Action
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, urged victims to come forward: "My message to anyone experiencing domestic abuse is simple: please come forward. You will be listened to, you will be taken seriously, and we will do everything we can to protect and support you."
The Metropolitan Police and Annabel's family are using the tragedy to highlight the dangers of domestic abuse and encourage reporting, stressing that it could save a life.
