Nancy Pexton Jailed for 22 Years for Sister Jennifer Abbott Dauward's Murder in Camden
Nancy Pexton has received a life sentence, with a minimum term of 22 years, for the murder of her sister, film director Jennifer Abbott Dauward, in her Mornington Place flat in Camden, north London. Pexton, 70, stabbed Abbott – also known as Sarah Steinberg – on 10 June last year before absconding with a valuable diamond-encrusted gold Rolex watch.
Abbott, 69, was discovered deceased on her living room floor on 13 June by a neighbour, her mouth covered with gaffer tape. Pexton was arrested five days later, and the stolen Rolex was subsequently found in her possession.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During sentencing, Judge Anuja Dhir KC stated her certainty that Pexton intended to kill her sister, citing the “ferocity” of the assault. The judge remarked, “Your actions and conduct after the killing demonstrates not only your absence of remorse but also a deliberate and callous attitude towards what you had done.”
The act of taping Abbott's mouth was described as a “deliberate act of degradation,” which was “callous, demeaning and cruel,” indicative of Pexton’s “animosity and hostility towards your sister.” The court also heard that Pexton took the watch due to its value and her jealousy of her sister’s superior financial security.
A post-mortem examination confirmed Abbott suffered multiple stab and slash wounds, alongside a single defensive wound to her right hand.
Timeline of Events
Abbott was last seen alive on doorbell camera footage, returning from walking her corgi, Prince, around 07:30 BST on the day of the attack. Pexton spoke to her by phone at 11:36, travelled to Abbott's flat by bus at 12:45, and departed an hour later. Following the murder, Pexton contacted her GP, reported an overdose, and was hospitalised until her arrest on 18 June.
Abbott’s neighbour became concerned when he no longer heard her dog barking, eventually using a scaffolding pole to force entry. He found Abbott deceased and her Rolex, a gift from her son, missing. Her corgi was freed from the kitchen by firefighters. The Rolex was later recovered by police from Pexton’s bag while she was in hospital.
Family and Official Statements
Brad Carlson, Abbott’s only son, described his mother’s killing as a “monstrous” and “heinous” act by someone he had previously attempted to assist. He spoke of his mother as his “hero” and “role model,” who had overcome early life difficulties to achieve success in property, writing, and filmmaking, always prioritising his upbringing. Carlson stated, “She was my whole world, she was everything to me.”
Devi Kharran, from the Crown Prosecution Service, characterised Abbott’s death as an “unimaginable tragedy,” with Pexton carrying out a “brutal and callous attack.” Detective Inspector Barry Hart commented that the sentence “reflects the gravity of this murder and ensures that Pexton will spend a substantial period of time in prison,” noting that evidence contradicted Pexton’s denials of responsibility.
