A homeless man who fatally attacked an 87-year-old pensioner before stealing his shopping, which included a cottage pie and cornflakes, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years. Peter Augustine, 59, kicked, punched and stamped on John Mackey in Manor House, London, on May 6.
Mr Mackey, a much-loved Irishman, had visited a Co-op store and a takeaway shop before the attack. Augustine then fled with the victim's bag, containing cornflakes, a cottage pie, a pint of milk, a copy of the Mirror newspaper, and takeaway sausage and chips. Mr Mackey died in hospital two days later from bleeding on the brain and broken ribs.
Augustine was found guilty of murder and robbery at the Old Bailey earlier this month. He did not attend his sentencing on Friday, claiming back pain. Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC described the attack as a 'cowardly act' on a 'gentle, innocent' man, noting that Augustine had shown no remorse.
Mr Mackey's niece, Patricia Schan, criticised Augustine's behaviour during the trial, saying he shouted at and terrified the family from the witness box. She described her uncle as a 'perfect uncle' who was 'funny, charming, mysterious, and very definitely mischievous'.
Police pieced together events from CCTV footage, which showed Augustine following Mr Mackey before the attack. Passers-by reported seeing Augustine attacking the pensioner and searching his jacket as he lay on the ground. A search of Augustine's room uncovered remnants of the stolen groceries.
