Westminster murders: Lee Peacock was ‘ruthless, murderous and decided he was going to kill people’

A west London man has been convicted of killing his former partner and an associate by slitting their throats.

Lee Peacock, of Harrow Road, appeared for trial at the Old Bailey on January 16, charged with the murders of Sharon Pickles and Clinton Ashmore.

Today the 50-year-old was convicted of both murders and will be sentenced on Wednesday.

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley said: “Lee Peacock had recently been released from prison and was determined to blame others for his partner, Sharon, having moved on with her life while he was incarcerated.

“He was ruthless, murderous and had decided he was going to kill people.”

At 9.30pm on August 19, 2021, after Peacock told a family member that he had killed, concerns were raised for Sharon’s welfare.

Officers found the body of the 46-year-old hidden under a bed at her home in Ashbridge Street, Lisson Grove.

Her throat had been cut and a note, signed by Peacock, was found at the scene.

A murder investigation was launched and later that day officers recovered CCTV footage of Peacock walking with 59-year-old Clinton Ashmore towards his flat. Peacock left the flat 15 minutes later wearing a dark coloured hoodie. When he went in, he had been wearing a polo shirt.

At 2.15am on August 20, friends of Clinton found him fatally injured in Jerome Crescent. He had also suffered a knife injury to the throat.

A manhunt was launched and six days later Peacock was found aboard a houseboat on the Grand Union canal. When officers arrived to arrest him, he tried to cut his own throat, but was restrained and taken to hospital for treatment. The following day he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

In interview, Peacock told officers he had intended to kill four people he felt had “taken advantage” of Sharon while he was in prison. But this plan went awry when he told her he was going to kill a man he believed she had been seeing. She laughed and in response, he killed her.

Peacock told officers he had decided to kill Clinton as he believed he had been part of the group who had “taken advantage” of Sharon. He attacked Clinton with the same knife he had used to kill her.

DCI Jolley added: “Peacock is a violent and murderous individual who has taken the lives of two people for no better reason than satisfying his own craving for violence.

“His not guilty plea meant that the families of the victims had to endure the anguish of hearing the horrific details of his offences in court. My thoughts are with them all today.”

In a statement, Sharon Pickles' family said: “As a family it’s been an incredibly difficult time for us losing our loved one in this way, but we finally have justice for our beloved daughter, sister and mother Sharon.

“Our hearts are broken and she will be missed dearly. We would like to say thank you to the police, prosecution and witness services for supporting us during this time and the dignity and respect they have shown Sharon. “

In a statement, Clinton Ashmore’s family said: “Clint was a pure and beautiful soul. His kindness, wit, humour and gentleness were what stood out most about him but more than anything, he was loved.

“Clint touched so many lives in so many ways. He shone brightly in this world but his light was cruelly put out by someone who gave no thought or care to the impact of his actions. The world has lost one of the good ones but our family and his loved ones have lost the best.”