An 86-year-old pensioner was headbutted to death during a burglary, a court heard. Ashley Malcolm, 40, is accused of murdering John Burke after allegedly attacking him inside his home in Hackney, East London. Mr Burke, who suffered several health problems including dementia, died in hospital the day after the alleged assault on September 30, 2025.
Prosecution details the attack
Prosecutor Mukul Chawla KC told jurors Malcolm targeted three properties the same day as part of a burglary spree, allegedly turning violent whenever he was challenged. Opening the case, Mr Chawla told the court that the 40-year-old violently assaulted Mr Burke by headbutting him in the face during a burglary. He told jurors: “As a result of that cowardly assault, Mr Burke died in hospital on September 30 2025 in circumstances you may think are deeply unfortunate.”
The burglary spree
Mr Burke lived with his 91-year-old wife Peggy in a flat on Fountayne Road, which was broken into by Malcolm shortly before midnight, the court heard. Malcolm stayed inside the property for around 90 minutes before leaving with a wheeled shopping trolley bag taken from the site, according to the prosecution. Prosecutors say he returned at around 2:45am after dropping contents off somewhere and remained for another 20 minutes before leaving with a box. Mr Chawla told jurors: “What was it that gave him the confidence to return to that flat? Presumably, he wouldn’t have done it if he was going to be disturbed.”
Further burglaries
CCTV allegedly tracked Malcolm as he later burgled a residential care home in Hackney at around 6:25am. The 40-year-old was confronted by a support worker, and allegedly ran towards him while making groaning noises and reaching towards his waistband. Half an hour later, Malcolm is accused of attempting to force his way into another flat in Stamford Hill using a screwdriver. Jurors heard the female occupant, wearing only a towel after getting out of the shower, confronted the alleged intruder as he tried to force the door open.
Violent reactions
Mr Chawla said Malcolm again allegedly reacted violently when challenged by the woman and her husband. The prosecutor said the woman tried to hold the door shut as he screamed and threatened to kill her. Her husband grabbed a bicycle pump and shouted: “If you come back to my house, you will see what will happen.” Malcolm allegedly replied: “I rob you before, p**syhole.” The court heard Malcolm then allegedly grabbed the bicycle pump, attacked the man with it and punched him as he lay on the ground.
Discovery of Mr Burke
Later that morning, a healthcare worker visiting Mr Burke noticed a broken window and found the kitchen in chaos before discovering an injured Mr Burke. Jurors heard Mr Burke told her: “Oh thanks you’re here. He attacked me. He beat me up last night around 11pm, a 6ft-tall man. He used to be one of the caretakers.” Paramedics were told Mr Burke believed he had been headbutted by two men but had been too frightened to leave his bedroom and call 999.
Injuries and death
Before going to the hospital, he also told his grandson: “He gave me a real smack on the eye.” Although discharged later that day, Mr Burke was found unconscious by his son the following morning. A CT scan revealed a devastating brain injury, bruising and a broken nose that jurors heard had been missed during the initial hospital visit. Mr Chawla said a consultant concluded Mr Burke had suffered a “devastating and irreversible injury to the brain” and could not be saved.
Arrest and charges
Police arrested Malcolm on October 1 after tracing him through CCTV and forensic evidence. The court heard he replied: “I didn’t do no murder.” Malcolm, of Hackney, has admitted burgling Mr Burke’s home, another burglary and an attempted burglary. He denies murdering or manslaughtering Mr Burke and denies assault causing actual bodily harm to the male occupant of the Stamford Hill flat. The trial continues.
