Man who murdered elderly mum, 74, and called phone sex line as she lay dead is jailed

Man who murdered elderly mum, 74, and called phone sex line as she lay dead is jailed Richard Clayton, 45, has been jailed for murdering his 74-year-old mum, Angela Clayton, at their home in east London in February A man who strangled his mum to death before calling a phone sex line, and then calling police to confess, has been jailed for life. Richard Clayton, 45, from Newham, east London, previously pleaded guilty to murdering Angela Clayton, 74. He strangled Angela inside their home in St George's Square on February 17. The Old Bailey was told Clayton had stolen from his mother to buy cannabis and cocaine before and after her death. He was sentenced to life in prison today, and must serve a minimum of at least 22 years. In January, he pawned a gold pendant and chains while his mother was in hospital and withdrew £200 in cash from her bank account after he killed her. Unemployed Clayton had also repeatedly called a phone sex line as his mother lay dead in the house nearby, the court was told. Later that afternoon, he called 999 and said he had done “something stupid” and strangled his mother after having a “breakdown”. Officers arrived at the scene at 12.48pm alongside the London Ambulance Service. Paramedics found Angela in her bedroom and pronounced her dead at the scene. Clayton was taken into custody and interviewed, answering "no comment" to questions or remaining completely silent while pretending to be asleep. He was charged with murder on February 18. On Monday, Judge Nigel Lickley KC described Clayton as “despicable”, “callous” and “self-centred” as he jailed him for life. He told the defendant: “You murdered your mother in her own home during the early hours of February 17 . Your mother was vulnerable because of underlying health conditions and you had been stealing from her for some time. Angela supported you and forgave you despite your behaviour towards her.” Mrs Clayton was described as a “fiercely devoted” mother and grandmother who was loving, selfless and kind. Judge Lickley said she was entitled to feel safe in her own home when she was attacked by her son, who was under the influence of drugs at the time. He added: “Given her size and weight she would have been unable to defend herself to any meaningful degree. Strangling is a particularly brutal way to kill someone given the proximity and time it takes. “Angela would have realised at some point she was dying and it was her son who was killing her.” “Much-loved” Mrs Clayton was born in Trinidad and Tobago and travelled in her 20s to the UK where she was twice married and had three children. In a statement released after his conviction, Angela's family said: "Everything we have done over the last six months has been entirely for our Mum, Angela, to ensure she received the justice she completely deserved. "As we look to the future, we kindly request privacy from the media. We need space and time to grieve together as a family and to protect the beautiful legacy of love she left behind. "Lastly, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the Metropolitan Police and our support officers for their work and dedication in bringing this case to justice."