A man who strangled his wife and set her body on fire soon after taking out a £300,000 life insurance policy has been found guilty of murder.

Thomas Peter, 50, killed his wife Karen on 2 August, attacking her while their three children were at home because he feared she had met someone new.

He had previously throttled his wife, a job centre worker, and took out a large life insurance policy in her name just weeks before killing her at home in Romford in east London.

Prosecutor Gareth Patterson said Peter showed "not one ounce of compassion" for his wife, who was just starting to grow in confidence after years of his "controlling behaviour".

They had been married for 24 years.


Mr Patterson said: "He forced a flannel cloth deep into his wife's mouth, possibly trying to silence her.

"With one or both hands he strangled his wife to death.

"After murdering her, and despite the presence of his daughters, he started at least two fires in the house. He set fire to his wife's body and left it in a locked first floor bedroom."

Image: Karen Peter was killed at home in Romford

Their children became aware of what was happening when they woke to hear a "muffled scream" coming from the bedroom.

Peter told his children she had gone out, and even asked them if they had done something to upset her.

Mrs Peter's body was found with burns around the groin and thighs and marks on her head and neck.

The court heard there was evidence Mrs Peter, who was also 50, had bitten her husband's hand. A piece of skin was retrieved from her mouth.

Peter had denied murder and arson, claiming his wife died in an accident.

He claimed he lit candles to "lighten the mood", saying they argued and his wife kicked him in the knee.

But the jury rejected his claims and unanimously found him guilty of murder. He was found guilty of arson by 11 jury members to one.

Mrs Peter's family members wept in court as Peter was remanded into custody. He will be sentenced on Monday.