A man who stabbed his partner 31 times before setting a fire that caused a gas explosion at their north London home has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years.

Clifton George, 45, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday for the murder of Annabel Rook, 46, at the couple’s house in Stoke Newington on 16 June last year.

The court heard George killed Ms Rook in the living room after she told him she wanted to end their 10-year relationship. After the killing, he started a fire in the basement, triggering a gas canister explosion that ripped through the property.

A jury found George guilty of murder last week.

During the trial, prosecutor William Emlyn Jones KC said the fatal attack followed an argument in which George first assaulted Ms Rook, then went to the kitchen for a knife.

“In the course of that argument he punched her, he then tried to strangle her, and then he went to the kitchen to get a knife, he came back with the knife, and he stabbed her to death,” the prosecutor told the court.

George, an electrician who had worked on projects including Crossrail and the Northern line extension, denied murder and claimed he had lost control of himself when he punched, throttled and ultimately stabbed Ms Rook.

But Mr Justice Constable ruled that account could not be relied on, citing what he described as “overwhelming” evidence of George’s short temper and a pattern of abuse towards Ms Rook.

Jurors heard George had been an aggressive and bullying partner who was prone to angry outbursts, sometimes over trivial matters. The prosecution said Ms Rook had tried to leave the relationship and had been living in fear of his behaviour.

An unsent letter written by Ms Rook was read to the court. In it, she described the breakdown of the relationship in calm but distressing terms.

“A year ago we came to the decision we weren’t making each other happy,” she wrote. “Somehow love wasn’t enough. We couldn’t reach each other.”

She added: “My heart is broken,” and said George would “gaslight” her and that she did not want to be around him.

Mr Emlyn Jones described the letter as “a heartbreaking description of a woman reluctantly letting go of her dream of a happy life with her partner”. He said it was not angry or vindictive, but instead showed Ms Rook trying to accept that the relationship could not continue.

Ms Rook was described by police as a “much-loved” mother, daughter, sister and friend, and as an active and well-known member of the Stoke Newington community who dedicated her life to supporting vulnerable women.

Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “Annabel Rook was a much-loved mother, daughter, sister and friend. She was also an active and well-known member of the Stoke Newington community who dedicated her life to supporting vulnerable women.

“Her loss has been deeply felt by many people across the local area and beyond.

“I would like to pay tribute to the detectives and specialist officers who worked tirelessly to ensure George was jailed for this terrible crime.”

She added that tackling violence against women and girls remained one of the Metropolitan Police’s highest priorities and urged anyone experiencing domestic abuse to come forward.

“Nothing can undo the immense loss suffered by Annabel’s loved ones, but I hope Clifton’s sentence provides a measure of comfort for Annabel’s loved ones and demonstrates our determination to pursue those who commit these appalling crimes,” she said.

George will serve at least 23 years in prison before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.