Lewisham man who killed his partner in an act of ‘rage and spite’ found guilty of murder

A 55-year old man was found guilty of the murder of his partner at the Old Bailey and will be sentenced on Friday November 18.

Franklin Mcleod and Marlene Coleman were in a relationship for more than ten years and the court heard how Mcleod could be aggressive, possessive and jealous.

Officer in the case Detective Sergeant Arran Barnes, said: “Franklin Mcleod was a controlling man who murdered Marlene in an act of rage and spite. People reported that Marlene would hang up the phone if Mcleod came into the room and he seemed to want all Marlene’s attention just on him.

“Marlene appears to have had enough of his controlling behaviour and was making plans to leave Mcleod, but when he found this out, he murdered her. Although Mcleod admitted assaulting Marlene, he never admitted to murdering her. The jury has seen through his lies and he has been convicted.

"The investigating team did outstanding work to secure this conviction. This included three deployments to Jamaica in order to trace and obtain crucial witness evidence. These deployments were assisted by the CPS, British High Commission in Jamaica, the Jamaican Constabulary, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica and The National Crime Agency in the UK.

“Witnesses gave evidence at the trial via a live link from the British High Commission in Jamaica. Enquiries to locate witnesses were undertaken in New York and Florida in the USA - this led to one witness flying to the UK to give evidence. This investigation shows the lengths and determination the Met will go to bring offenders to justice.

“Unfortunately there are people like Franklin Mcleod who are a risk to those they are in a relationship with. Many people close to them may see the signs, but may not want to interfere or do not know who to speak to. If you can see that someone is in a controlling and coercive relationship then please let someone know. You can call the police or Crimestoppers, who are totally anonymous, or speak to one of the many charities that support victims of domestic abuse."

Marlene’s sister, Pamela Campbell, said: "I am overwhelmed with the verdict of guilty for McLeod in relation to the murder of my sister Marlene. I would like to thank the courts and the jury for the result.

"The police did an excellent job in gathering all the evidence against him which showed without doubt him being responsible for her death. He will now get the justice that he deserves. This has been the most traumatic time in my life and I now feel that I can slowly move on after the decision made at court. My sister will always be in my heart, God bless her soul."

Ms Coleman appears to have become unhappy in her relationship and wanted to end it. However, Mr Mcleod refused to leave and Ms Coleman told friends she was scared.

Ms Coleman started a relationship with someone else and was planning a life with them. However, Mcleod found out about the relationship by going through her phone.

On Wednesday, June 15, 2021 neighbours told police that around 21:30hrs they heard scream coming from the couple’s flat.

CCTV recorded Mr Mcleod leaving the flat and further CCTV captured him walking about until, at about 23:45hrs, he walked in to Lewisham Police Station.

Mr Mcleod told the station officer he had argued with Ms Coleman and told and went on to explain that the argument had taken place at his home address in the kitchen.

When officers arrived at their address in Cressingham Road were they found Ms Coleman unconscious lying on the floor face down, in a pool of blood. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination showed she had died from a single stab wound to her neck that was so ferocious it had gone right through and out the other side. This also indicated that Marlene had been lying down when the fatal blow was struck.