Advertisement

Peckham stabbing: Man charged with murder after ‘lovely’ pensioner, 75, found with multiple stab wounds in south London

Forensic officers at the property in Ethnard Road, Peckham, on Saturday: Ryan Hooper/PA
Forensic officers at the property in Ethnard Road, Peckham, on Saturday: Ryan Hooper/PA

A man has been charged with murder after a “lovely” pensioner, 75, was found with multiple stab wounds in south London.

The victim, who has been named locally as Maureen Watkins, was found dead in her home, on Ethnard Road, Peckham, on Friday afternoon.

The retired accountant was said to have lived at the terraced property for about 30 years with her son.

Medics said Ms Watkins was found with “multiple stab wounds” and was pronounced dead a short time after ambulance crews arrived.

On Sunday, the Met confirmed a 55-year-old man was charged in connection with the death.

peckham1711-2.jpg
peckham1711-2.jpg

Floral tributes left at the scene in Ethnard Road, Peckham, on Saturday (PA)

Edward Watkins, of Ethnard Road, has been charged, officers said, and is due to appear in custody at Camberwell Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Friends Ms Watkins described her as a "lovely lady" as floral tributes were left at the scene on Saturday.

One friend, who asked not to be named, said: "I have lived here since 1971 so I knew Maureen. She was a lovely lady, a very nice lady indeed.

She added: “We both lied her for a long time, so we knew each other, although we wouldn’t sort of go into each other’s house or anything. I didn’t see what happened, but it is very sad.”

Another neighbour, who lived nearby for about 25 years and stopped to lay a bouquet of flowers at the property, said: "Maureen was lovely.

"I've been here since I was about four years old and she was here the whole time. I've always known her to say hello and that. I'm just shocked really."

The violent death toll in London has continued to rise with more homicides so far this year than in the whole of 2017.

A grim spate of bloodshed in the capital, including the week from October 31 when there were five stab murders, has brought the total to 120.