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Peckham stabbing: Son charged with murdering 75-year-old mother

A son has been charged with the murder of his 75-year-old mother in south east London.

Edward Watkins, 55, is accused of repeatedly stabbing to death his mother, named locally as Maureen Watkins, at the house they shared in Ethnard Road, Peckham.

She was the 125th person to be murdered in the capital so far this year.

Police and paramedics were called to the address just after 4pm on Friday afternoon.

She was pronounced dead half an hour later and Watkins who suffered a stab wound was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police confirm he has now been charged with her murder.

Scotland Yard said: “A man has been charged with murder following the death of an elderly woman in Southwark.

“Edward Watkins, 55, of Ethnard Road, was charged with murder on Sunday, 18 November.

“He will appear in custody at Camberwell Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 19 November.

“Formal identification of the victim is yet to take place. Next of kin have been informed.”

A neighbour said Mrs Watkins had lived in the ground floor two storey flat of the four storey block on a housing estate for 30 years with her son.

The woman said: “She was a lovely, kind woman and a grandmother.”

Another neighbour added her son had been released from the The Maudsley psychiatric hospital in south London just three weeks ago.

By Ben Gelblum, Tony Whitfield & Adela Whittingham

Ben Gelblum

Contributing & Investigations Editor & Director of Growth wears glasses and curly hair cool ideas to: ben.gelblum (at) thelondoneconomic.com @BenGelblum

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