Richard Clayton, 45, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years after admitting the murder of his 74-year-old mother, Angela Clayton, at their home in Newham, east London. The Old Bailey heard that Clayton strangled his mother in the early hours of February 17, and later stole from her and called a phone sex line while her body lay in the house.
Offences after the killing
The court was told that Clayton had stolen from his mother to buy cannabis and cocaine before and after her death. In January, he pawned a gold pendant and chains while his mother was in hospital, and after killing her he withdrew £200 in cash from her bank account. Unemployed Clayton had also repeatedly called a phone sex line as his mother lay dead nearby.
Later that afternoon, he called 999 and said he had done “something stupid” and strangled his mother after having a “breakdown”. Police and paramedics found Mrs Clayton in her bedroom, where she was pronounced dead. Clayton was taken into custody and charged with murder the following day.
Judge's sentencing remarks
On Monday, Judge Nigel Lickley KC described Clayton as “despicable”, “callous” and “self-centred” as he imposed the life sentence. He told the defendant: “You murdered your mother in her own home during the early hours of February 17. Your mother was vulnerable because of underlying health conditions and you had been stealing from her for some time.”
“Angela supported you and forgave you despite your behaviour towards her.” The judge noted that Mrs Clayton was entitled to feel safe in her own home, and that her son was under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack. He added: “Given her size and weight she would have been unable to defend herself to any meaningful degree. Strangling is a particularly brutal way to kill someone given the proximity and time it takes.”
Family tribute
Mrs Clayton was described as a “fiercely devoted” mother and grandmother who was loving, selfless and kind. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, she travelled in her 20s to the UK, where she was twice married and had three children. Members of her family appeared tearful in Court One of the Old Bailey as Clayton was sent down from the dock.
