A controlling and abusive partner who murdered his 70-year-old fiancée before attempting to stage an elaborate cover-up has been convicted following a four-week trial at the Old Bailey.
Clifford Cowen, 59, called 999 on 23 June 2024, claiming he was concerned about Rita Fleming after looking through the letterbox of her Maida Hill flat in west London. But when police and paramedics arrived at the Golborne Road property, they discovered Ms Fleming dead in the bath, fully clothed and suffering severe injuries.
The jury took just six hours on Thursday to find Cowen guilty of murder, rejecting his claims that he had not been at the address and exposing what prosecutors described as an attempt to make Ms Fleming’s death appear accidental.
Suspicious Behaviour Led to Immediate Arrest
Cowen’s behaviour at the scene immediately raised red flags for responding officers. He repeatedly insisted that police check CCTV footage to prove he had not been at the property, prompting Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell to order his arrest on suspicion of murder.
“As our investigation into Rita’s death developed, it became clear that Clifford Cowen was a controlling and abusive partner,” DCI Foxwell said. “Clifford called 999 that day and attempted to make Rita’s death look like an accident, as though she had drowned in the bath.”
The Metropolitan Police investigation uncovered a pattern of domestic abuse that Cowen had tried to conceal. Despite his attempts to portray their relationship as loving during police interviews, detectives discovered multiple messages and voice notes revealing that he would regularly get drunk and verbally abuse Ms Fleming.
Thanks to the information given by key witnesses and the work of our Specialist Crime Team, we have been able to show the court what a cowardly individual Cowen is,” DCI Foxwell added.
Elaborate Alibi Unpicked by Detectives
Cowen, of Kensington Park Gardens, had initially claimed he discovered Ms Fleming after becoming concerned for her welfare. He told the emergency operator he had looked through her letterbox and seen her feet in the bed, prompting his 999 call.
However, when officers arrived, they found Ms Fleming’s body in the bath rather than the bedroom, immediately casting doubt on his account. The discovery of her fully clothed body with multiple injuries further undermined his narrative of an accidental drowning.
Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC told the court that the case centred on “drowning with third-party involvement,” systematically dismantling Cowen’s alibi during the trial. The defence, led by Joe Davidson, had maintained: “The essence of the defence, my lord, is that he didn’t do it – he didn’t kill her. He wasn’t there, he last saw her alive when he left the flat.”
Pattern of Controlling Behaviour Exposed
The investigation revealed Cowen as a master manipulator who exercised coercive control over Ms Fleming. Messages and voice recordings presented to the jury painted a disturbing picture of their relationship, far removed from the loving partnership Cowen had attempted to portray.
DCI Foxwell said the evidence showed a clear pattern of controlling and manipulative behaviour that culminated in Ms Fleming’s murder. The detective emphasised that Cowen had attempted to distance himself from the crime scene whilst constructing an elaborate false narrative about discovering her body.
Cowen was charged with murder on 5 July 2024, following his initial arrest and bail on 23 June. Throughout the proceedings, he maintained his innocence, appearing at Kingston Crown Court in September 2024 wearing a grey prison tracksuit and blue and green glasses to enter a not guilty plea.
Domestic Abuse Support Available
The conviction comes as latest figures show an estimated 2.3 million people aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024, including 1.6 million women and 712,000 men.
DCI Foxwell used the case to highlight the isolation many domestic abuse victims face: “We understand how isolated victims of domestic abuse can feel. We encourage anyone to contact police and report so we can support alongside our specialist partner agencies.”
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline operates 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247, offering free and confidential support. Male victims can contact the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327, whilst LGBT+ individuals can reach the National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 999 5428.
Support organisations emphasise that victims do not need to report to police to access help. Victim Support offers free and confidential assistance to anyone affected by crime, regardless of when it occurred or whether it was reported to authorities.
Sentencing to Follow
Cowen will be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on 1 September 2025. The conviction brings to a close a case that DCI Foxwell hopes will provide “an element of closure” for Ms Fleming’s family and friends.
“Rita was much loved by her family and friends,” the detective said, paying tribute to the victim whose life was cut short by domestic violence.
The case serves as a stark reminder that domestic abuse can affect anyone, with a domestic abuse-related call made to police every 30 seconds in the UK. Experts stress that the crime remains largely hidden, with fewer than one in five victims reporting to authorities.
For those experiencing domestic abuse, multiple avenues of support exist beyond police intervention, including local authority services, specialist charities, and legal protection orders that can be obtained through the courts without fees for victims.
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