A man from Peckham who beat his mum to death, leaving her with a “traumatic” brain injury has been jailed.

Steffon Hewitt, of Blake’s Road in Peckham was found guilty of murdering his mum, 68-year-old Vanita Nowell.

The 51-year-old was sentenced to a minimum term of 21 years' imprisonment on April 16.

On March 8, 2020, Hewitt called emergency services to his home saying that he found his mum on the bathroom floor unresponsive.

When paramedics arrived, Vanita was already dead.

Hewitt said that he had attempted CPR on his mum and that she “may have broken a few ribs”.

Medical enquiries later showed that the extent of the fractures could not have been caused by him performing CPR.

Hewitt blamed his mum’s death on her falling over from her dementia but investigators found this was untrue when looking at forensic and medical evidence. 

In total Vanita suffered 28 fresh rib fractures, and six fractures of her spine, with extensive bruising all over.

She also sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Detective Constable Nick Stocking, part of the team that led the murder investigation, said: “Hewitt showed no remorse when killing his mother by inflicting significant and extensive injuries, resulting in what would have been a painful death.

“Vanita suffered from 28 fresh rib fractures and six fractures of her spine alongside extensive bruising to her face, head and body. She also sustained a traumatic brain injury.

“This was a vicious attack but Hewitt attempted to blame it on his mother’s constant falling due to her dementia.

“A combination of forensic and medical evidence proved this was not true and it is reflected in today’s sentencing.”