Woman Found Guilty of Brutal Neighbour Murder in Chingford
A woman has been convicted at the Old Bailey for the savage murder of her neighbour in Chingford. Carol Campling, 39, of Garenne Court, Warren Road, was found guilty on 7 June of killing 48-year-old Mark Smith.
Morning Horror: Victim Found with Multiple Injuries
At 6.45am on 15 February 2018, Campling reported to Chingford police that she had discovered a man’s lifeless body in a nearby flat. Police and paramedics rushed to Garenne Court, where they found Mark Smith suffering from multiple wounds. He was pronounced dead at 7.18am.
The Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command launched an immediate investigation. Campling was arrested later that day. A post-mortem confirmed Smith’s cause of death as severe injuries from a violent attack. She was formally charged with murder on 18 February.
Vicious Attack Using Bottles, Scissors and Ashtray
Detective Inspector John Marriott revealed details of the brutal assault: “Campling used broken bottles, scissors and an ashtray against Mark before leaving him to die.”
He added, “She then walked straight into a police station claiming she had ‘found’ the body, but refused to take responsibility.”
DI Marriott highlighted the role of drug and alcohol abuse in the tragedy, describing it as “an awful case” fueled by “extremely excessive quantities” consumed by both Campling and Smith.
Offering a warning to others, he said, “Anyone drinking excessively or using drugs to the point of losing control or violence should seek professional help. This is a tragic example of a chaotic lifestyle gone wrong.”
Sentencing Set for Late June
Campling was unanimously found guilty by the jury on 7 June. She faces sentencing at the Old Bailey on 27 June.
A second defendant, Robert Edwin Parsons, 64, was acquitted of murder during the same trial.
