A man from Lewisham has been jailed after stabbing his partner to death with a knife which was “so ferocious it had gone right through and out the other side”.

Franklin McLeod, of Cressingham Road in SE13, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 20 years, at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, February 8.

This comes after McLeod's conviction of murdering his partner, Marlene Coleman, 53, on November 9, 2022.

The jury at the trial heard evidence of McLeod's controlling behaviour towards Marlene, with witnesses describing how she would hang up the phone if he walked into a room.

The court heard how McLeod, 55, and Marlene had been in a relationship for more than ten years and McLeod could be aggressive, possessive and jealous.

Marlene appears to have become unhappy in her relationship and wanted to end it, but she told people how McLeod refused to leave and how he scared her.

She also said told others that he would not contribute financially, and he pressured her to send money to his children in Jamaica.

Marlene eventually met someone else and was planning to restart her life but McLeod found out about the relationship by going through her phone on June 15.

Neighbours later told police that around 9.30pm the same night that they heard a scream coming from the couple’s flat.

CCTV recorded McLeod leaving the flat and at 11.45pm he walked into Lewisham Police Station.

McLeod told the station officer he had argued with his fiancé and put his hand around her throat as she was at the kitchen sink.

He claimed that she had fallen unconscious and he had left her there and gone for a walk.

McLeod said he returned 30 minutes later to find her in a pool of blood but did not call ambulance.

Officers were immediately sent to their address in Cressingham Road where Marlene was found not moving or breathing but police administered first aid until the arrival of London’s Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service.

Marlene was declared dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination showed she had died from a single stab wound to her neck and indicated that Marlene had been lying down when the fatal blow was struck.

McLeod was interviewed by police and although he admitted to grabbing her throat he denied stabbing her saying that must have happened when he left the house.

McLeod admitted to assaulting Marlene, but never admitted to murdering her.

The investigation team worked to trace and obtain crucial witness evidence, with deployments to Jamaica as well as enquiries in New York and Florida in the USA.

This led to one witness flying to the UK to give evidence via a live link from the British High Commission in Jamaica.

McLeod will now serve a life sentence for the murder of Marlene.

After McLeod was convicted, Marlene's sister, Pamela Campbell, said: "I am overwhelmed with the verdict of guilty for McLeod in relation to the murder of my sister Marlene. I would like to thank the courts and the jury for the result.

"The police did an excellent job in gathering all the evidence against him which showed without doubt him being responsible for her death.

“He will now get the justice that he deserves.

“This has been the most traumatic time in my life and I now feel that I can slowly move on after the decision made at court. My sister will always be in my heart, God bless her soul."

Officer in the case Detective Sergeant Arran Barnes, said: “Franklin McLeod murdered Marlene Coleman when she began making plans to escape his controlling behaviour.

“Unfortunately there are people like Franklin McLeod who are a risk to those they are in a relationship with.

“Many people close to them may see the signs, but may not want to interfere or do not know who to speak to.

“If you can see that someone is in a controlling and coercive relationship then please let someone know.

“You can call the police or Crimestoppers, who are totally anonymous, or speak to one of the many charities that support victims of domestic abuse."