Woman murdered neighbour in Chingford

THE BODY OF Mark Smith, 48, was found on 15th February 2018 at a flat in Warren Road, Chingford, E4. A post mortem examination two days later established that Smith had died from multiple injuries.

The police went to the flat because Carol Campling had gone in to Chingford police station at 6.45 that morning and told officers that she had found a man’s body in a neighbour’s flat. This was quite an unusual way of reporting a dead person. It is much more usual for people who genuinely find dead bodies to telephone the emergency services rather than travel to a police station.

The London Ambulance Service went too, and paramedics were able to confirm that Mr Smith was dead. The Metropolitan Police Homicide and Major Crime Command began to investigate the death. Three days later they were able to charge Carol Campling with murder.

On 7th June, Carol Campling, 39, of Garenne Court, Warren Road, E4 was found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering Mark Smith. She will return to the Court on 27th June for sentencing. Robert Edwin Parsons, 64, stood trial too, but he was acquitted at the end of trial.

Detective Inspector John Marriott of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, the officer in charge of the investigation, said, “Our investigation established that Campling had launched a vicious attack on Mark, using broken bottles, scissors and an ashtray, before leaving him to die. She then walked to a police station claiming to have ‘found’ the body, and has subsequently failed to take responsibility for her actions.

“This is an awful case in which drug use and consumption of extremely excessive quantities of alcohol by Campling and the victim were a significant factor. I want to express my sympathies to Mark’s family.

“I would also urge anyone who is drinking excessively or taking drugs – in particular where those activities lead to loss of control or violence – to seek professional help. This case is a tragic example of the consequences of such a chaotic lifestyle.”

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