A man who killed his neighbour in Ilford - and then used her bank card to buy food - has been jailed.

Jamie Cook, 31, of Asthall Gardens, Ilford, has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 20 years in jail.

Police were called at 1.29pm on October 12, 2022, following concerns for the welfare of a resident at an address in De Vere Gardens.

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Hilary Round's body was found at the address after police forced entry.

Cook was arrested a short time later on the same day at an address in Horns Road, Ilford, where Hilary's bank card was found.

Police had been called to De Vere Gardens after Cook had rung his mother, who lived in the flat below Hilary.

He told her that he had killed her neighbour "three or four days ago".

A post mortem established the cause of death as compression to the neck.

Detectives believe a dressing gown cord found in his mother's flat to be the murder weapon.

From CCTV footage, detectives also identified Cook using Hilary's bank card in supermarkets and fast food outlets on October 6 and 7.

Cook was charged with murder on October 14.

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He pleaded guilty to murdering 67-year-old Hilary on March 16 at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

He also admitted two charges of fraud.

Cook was sentenced yesterday (Thursday, March 23) to a minimum jail term of 20 years and 205 days (21 years minys 160 days spent on remand).

Detective Chief Inspector Jo Yorke said: "Jamie Cook launched a completely unprovoked attack on a woman in her own home.

"The callous nature of the murder was compounded by the fact he stole a bank card he then used to buy food.

"He also failed to raise the alarm until almost a week after Hilary Round had died."

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In a victim impact statement, Louise Moseley, Hilary's sister, said she was "very kind, caring, friendly, helpful and generous."

She said: "She saw the best in people. She had a Christian faith and very much enjoyed singing in the Seven Kings Gospel Choir.

"She also loved gardening and would help our mother and her neighbours with their gardens.

"She wanted to make the world a better place."