Peter Augustine, 59, has been convicted of murdering 87-year-old John Mackey after a violent robbery outside a Co-op in Manor House on 6 May. Witnesses reported Augustine kicked, punched and stamped on the frail pensioner, who later died in hospital from bleeding on the brain and broken ribs. Grocery items including cornflakes and a cottage pie were taken and later found in Augustine's room. Augustine will be sentenced on 28 November.
Man convicted of murdering 87-year-old pensioner after brutal Co-op robbery
Peter Augustine, 59, has been convicted of murdering 87-year-old John Mackey after a violent robbery outside a Co-op in Manor House on 6 May. Witnesses reported Augustine kicked, punched and stamped on the frail pensioner, who later died in hospital from bleeding on the brain and broken ribs. Grocery items including cornflakes and a cottage pie were taken and later found in Augustine's room. Augustine will be sentenced on 28 November.
09:29 PM, 11/13/2025Society
Man convicted of murdering 87-year-old pensioner after brutal Co-op robbery
A jury at the Old Bailey has found 59-year-old Peter Augustine guilty of the murder and robbery of 87-year-old John Mackey following a violent attack outside a Co-op in Manor House, north London, on 6 May.
Witnesses told jurors that Augustine followed Mr Mackey from the shop and later kicked, punched and stamped on the pensioner as he lay on the pavement. Passers-by saw Augustine searching the man's jacket while the victim remained unconscious.
A member of the public alerted police after hearing someone shout "give me the bag" and finding Mr Mackey bleeding from the head. Although he briefly regained consciousness, he could not explain what had happened. He was taken to hospital with bleeding on the brain and multiple broken ribs and died two days later.
Jurors heard that on the day of the assault Mr Mackey had bought cornflakes, a cottage pie and a newspaper from the Co-op. Remnants of those groceries and wrappers from later purchases were recovered from Augustine's room.
Prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC described the victim as frail — around 5ft 5in and under nine stone — and said Augustine, who was living in "reduced circumstances" and effectively homeless at the time, used "extreme force" against a largely defenseless man.
"When the defendant kicked and punched an elderly, vulnerable and largely defenceless man, who was prone on the floor, the Crown says that he intended to cause him really serious harm," Ms Bickerstaff told jurors.
The victim's family and friends, sitting in the public gallery, reacted with cheers and tears when the guilty verdict was announced. Augustine has been found guilty of murder and robbery and will be sentenced on 28 November.