Care home resident, 62, is charged with murdering elderly woman, in her 90s, after she was attacked in the residential home they both lived in

A care home resident has been charged with murdering an elderly woman in her 90s after she was attacked in the residential home they both lived in.

Alexander Rawson, 62, was arrested after allegedly assaulting another resident at the care home in south east London.

The woman, who has not yet been named, was injured during the early hours of yesterday morning and rushed to hospital by paramedics where she later died.

A murder probe was launched - the first in London this year - and Rawson was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to a police station for questioning.

Forensic officers and a policeman pictured outside the care home in Catford, south east London. The woman was injured during the early hours of yesterday morning

A forensics van and officers pictured outside the property. Alexander Rawson, 62, was arrested after allegedly assaulting another resident at the care home in south east London

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out and the victim's next of kin have been told.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service were called to the care home in Catford at around 12.40am yesterday, Scotland Yard said.

Rawson was charged with murder and appeared in custody at Bexleyheath Magistrates' Court today.

A spokesman for the Met Police said: 'Police were called at around 12.40am on Monday, January 4, to a report of an assault at a care home in Canadian Avenue, Catford.

'Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service.

'A woman, aged in her 90s, was taken to hospital where she later died. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

Forensics at the scene in Catford. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out and the victim's next of kin have been told, but she has not yet been named by the Met Police

'Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

'The same day, a man in his 60s was been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to a south London police station.

'On Tuesday, January 5, Alexander Rawson, 62, of Canadian Avenue, Catford was charged with murder and will appear in custody at Bexleyheath Magistrates' Court on January 5.

'Both the man and the woman were residents of the care home.'

Last year 122 people were murdered in the capital, down from 147 in 2019.