A man has admitted strangling his mother to death in their east London home - before pretending to be asleep during his police interviews.
Richard Clayton, 45, pleaded guilty to murdering Angela Clayton at a hearing at the Old Bailey on Monday.
Mr Clayton strangled his mother inside their home in Newham on Tuesday February 17, before calling 999 to report himself to police.
Officers arrived on scene at 12:48pm alongside the London Ambulance Service, where they found Angela, 74, in her bedroom. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Clayton was taken into custody, and was evasive during interviews, alternating between answering “no comment” to all questions, remaining completely silent, and pretending to be asleep.
He was charged with murder the following day, and admitted the charge on Monday. He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on September 22.
In a statement, Angela’s family said: “Everything we have done over the last six months has been entirely for our Mum, Angela, to ensure she received the justice she completely deserved. As we look to the future, we kindly request privacy from the media.
"We need space and time to grieve together as a family and to protect the beautiful legacy of love she left behind.”
Detective Chief Inspector 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.”
