Man denies murdering pensioner in street robbery

John Mackey died in hospital two days after the alleged assault

A 59-year-old has denied murdering a north London pensioner in a street robbery, claiming he took the man's bag but did not assault him.

Peter Augustine is accused of robbery and murder over the death of John Mackey, 87, in Manor House on 6 May 2025, which he denies.

At the Old Bailey on Monday, prosecutor Jayne Bickerstaff KC said Mr Mackey, who used a stick to get around and lived on his own, had been shopping at a Co-op on Green Lanes immediately prior to the attack.

Ms Bickerstaff said the pensioner was taken to hospital where he died two days later as a result of blunt force head injuries.

She said CCTV cameras captured the movements of the pensioner and his alleged attacker that evening, and while the cameras didn't capture the assault itself, a witness saw part of it and heard the words "give me the bag".

As Ms Bickerstaff outlined these details to the jury, Mr Augustine interrupted proceedings by shouting "I never killed him" and "I took the bag, and I ran, that's what I did Miss, I never hit him".

The defendant was taken back to the cells after a further disruption.

Ms Bickerstaff said the alleged attack had happened in a passageway near Finsbury Park on 6 May.

The court was told Mr Mackey had set off from his address shortly after 17:00 BST wearing a distinctive trilby hat, grey mackintosh coat and carrying a walking stick and black bag.

He went into the Co-op where he bought cornflakes, an own brand cottage pie and newspaper, which he put in his bag, paid for his goods using a £20 note and put the change of £11.50 in his trouser pocket.

His path allegedly crossed with Mr Augustine 18 minutes later as he crossed the road and the defendant began to follow him.

Mr Mackey then went into Manor Kebab and bought sausage and chips as the defendant allegedly loitered outside.

The prosecutor also said two witnesses saw Mr Mackey on the floor being kicked and stamped on.

Buttons from Mr Mackey's coat were found near the passageway which the prosecution claimed showed his coat was pulled open during the robbery.

The victim was last seen on camera at 17:50 BST and Mr Augustine reappeared on CCTV three minutes later carrying what looked like the victim's bag, jurors heard.

The incident happened in May, near Finsbury Park, north London

The pensioner, who moved to London from Ireland in the 1950s, was taken to Whittington Hospital for treatment.

Doctors found he was suffering from bleeding on the brain and these injuries were exacerbated by signs of Alzheimer's disease.

He also had several recently broken ribs, injuries which the prosecution says were sustained in the attack.

Mr Augustine was arrested at the nearby Beaconsfield hotel a few days later in connection with another unrelated theft, she continued.

A later search of the defendant's room uncovered what was left of Mr Mackey's groceries and wrapping from the cottage pie, and sausage and chips, it was alleged.

Interviewed by police at Stoke Newington Police station, he told the officers that he had seen Mr Mackey on the floor.

He tapped him lightly on his leg and said, "alright guv". He thought that he was drunk and walked off.

But Ms Bickerstaffe claimed his intention was to cause Mr Mackey - who was vulnerable and largely defenceless - "really serious harm" in the attack.

The case continues.