Richard Clayton will serve a life sentence with a minimum of 22 years for strangling his mother to death at their east London home before ringing police to confess.
The 45-year-old, of St George’s Square, Forest Gate, was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Monday for the murder of his mother Angela.
Clayton killed Angela inside the home they shared on Tuesday 17 February. He then dialled 999 and reported himself to officers.
Officers arrived at 12:48 alongside paramedics from the London Ambulance Service. Angela was found in her bedroom and pronounced dead at the scene.
Key facts
- Convicted: Richard Clayton, 45, of St George’s Square, Forest Gate
- Victim: his mother, Angela
- Offence: murder by strangulation on 17 February
- Sentence: life imprisonment, minimum term of 22 years
- Court: the Old Bailey, 28 September 2026
- Investigation: led by DCI Joanna Yorke, Metropolitan Police
What the court heard
The Old Bailey heard how Clayton strangled Angela at the home they shared in Forest Gate, in the London Borough of Newham, before picking up the phone and dialling 999 to hand himself in. When officers and paramedics reached the address at 12:48, Angela was found in her bedroom. There was nothing they could do to save her.
The court heard Clayton had a long history of stealing from family members, including his mother, to fund a drug habit — a pattern detectives pieced together through extensive analysis of his phone and statements from witnesses.
In custody, Clayton gave detectives little to work with. Interviewed under caution, he veered between answering “no comment” to every question put to him, sitting in total silence and at times pretending to be asleep.
He was charged with murder on Wednesday 18 February.
A devoted mother, remembered
In a statement, Angela’s family said: “Today is about Angela. She was a fiercely devoted mother, adored nanny, wife, sister, auntie, and friend who filled our lives with extraordinary warmth and light. Her life will never be defined by this tragedy, and the love she gave us will guide our family forward.”
They thanked the police and prosecution team for their support and asked for privacy “so we can grieve and honour her memory in peace”.
Police: “no outcome can undo their loss”
DCI Joanna Yorke, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with Angela’s family and friends, who have lost a much-loved mother, grandmother and friend. While no outcome can undo their loss, we hope today’s conviction brings them some measure of closure.”
She added that the Met’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls “remains firm”, and encouraged anyone affected to seek help from the police or support services.
Getting help
If you are affected by domestic abuse or violence, you can contact police in an emergency on 999, or speak to a support service. The Met says officers will respond “with care and sensitivity”.
Timeline: from confession to life sentence
- Tuesday 17 February: Angela is found dead in her bedroom at the family home in Forest Gate after Clayton calls 999 to confess. Officers and paramedics arrive at 12:48.
- Wednesday 18 February: Clayton is charged with murder.
- Monday 28 September: Clayton is sentenced at the Old Bailey to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years.
Latest life sentence in the capital
Clayton was sentenced at the Old Bailey, the same court that recently set £100,000 bail for genocide-accused Dr Vincent Brown and where a Brit accused of aiding Russian intelligence appeared on sabotage charges.
It is the latest life sentence handed down in London, after the Hackney Turks gang leader was jailed for life for orchestrating a restaurant shooting.
