Location of suspicious death of pensioner, 88, Sonali Gardens, Sutton Street E1. Pic: Google

A 17-year-old youth has been charged with the murder of  a pensioner, 88, who was living in care accommodation in Tower Hamlets.

The teenager, who is from Romford, is expected to appear in custody at Stratford Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Monday May 27, accused of the murder of 88-year-old Margery Gilbey in Sonali Gardens, Sutton Street, last Friday.

The police answered a call to the address at 4.26 pm after staff found the elderly lady in her room.

Officers and the ambulance service attended but pronounced the alleged victim  “dead at the scene.”

An incident room was opened under Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn who said yesterday: “We are treating this as a suspicious death after an aggravated burglary.  It is unclear at present if anything was actually stolen.”

The police appealed for witnesses.

Shortly after the police were alerted, a man, aged 23, was arrested in the vicinity in connection with the death. He has been bailed to return to an east London police station pending further enquiries (date to be confirmed).

Later that evening the 17-year-old was arrested at an address in east London.