Sister convicted of murdering film director aunt and stealing her Rolex watch in London

Nancy Pexton has been convicted of murdering her sister by stabbing her 10 times and slashing her neck before stealing her diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch.

The Old Bailey heard how Pexton, 70, killed Jennifer Abbott, 69, a US citizen and film director, at her flat in Camden, north London, on 10 June last year. She left the body for three days before it was discovered.

Prosecutors said Pexton travelled by bus to her sister's Mornington Place flat and attacked her after speaking to her by phone. Abbott was found partially naked and decomposing on the living room floor with gaffer tape over her mouth and a large "slash-type" wound across her neck.

Her Rolex watch, 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.

The court heard of a "bubbling" resentment between the sisters. Carlson told the court via video link: "There was interaction and sometimes anger and hostility between my mother and Nancy, there was resentment seemingly bubbling up."

Jurors heard how in November 2024, Abbott received a message from Pexton stating: "You know I was planning to kill you but it was just a thought, I would never hurt you." The message warned Abbott to "watch your back from those you conned and stole money from".

At the time, Abbott asked her nephew if she should take out a restraining order.

Pexton, of no fixed address, denied wrongdoing and opted to appear by video link from Bronzefield prison. On Wednesday, an Old Bailey jury convicted her of murder.

After the guilty verdict, Judge Anuja Dhir KC adjourned sentencing to Friday.