A pensioner has been charged with the murder of an 85-year-old woman in east London. Rosina Coleman was discovered by a handyman at her home of about 50 years in Ashmour Gardens, Romford, at about 11.30am on Tuesday.

The Metropolitan police said Paul Prause, also of Romford, who was arrested on Friday, has been charged with her murder. The 65-year-old was remanded in custody and will appear at Redbridge magistrates’ court on Monday.

Neighbours described Coleman as “incredible” and someone who was “always happy”. The former seamstress was a mother of two and had lived on Ashmour Gardens for decades with her husband Bill, who died about 11 years ago.

One elderly friend, who did not wish to be named, said: “It’s such a sad thing. I can’t get my head around it.”