On a quiet afternoon in Manor House, north London, a senseless act of violence shattered a community and claimed the life of one of its most beloved residents. On May 6, 2025, 87-year-old John Mackey was attacked by Peter Augustine, a 59-year-old homeless man, as he returned home from a routine shopping trip. The brutal assault, which left Mackey with bleeding on the brain and broken ribs, ended two days later with his death in hospital—a tragedy that has since resonated through his family, friends, and neighbors.
According to Metro, Mackey had set out shortly after 5pm, carrying his walking stick and a black bag. He visited a local Co-op store, purchasing cornflakes, a cottage pie, a pint of milk, and a copy of the Mirror newspaper, all paid for with a £20 note. He then stopped by Manor Kebab for sausage and chips, the kind of simple pleasures that marked his daily routine. But as he made his way back along Goodchild Road, Augustine began to follow him—a detail later confirmed by CCTV footage pieced together by police investigators.
The attack unfolded swiftly and brutally. Augustine kicked, punched, and stamped on Mackey, who, at 5ft 5in and weighing less than nine stone, stood little chance of defending himself. Eyewitnesses saw Augustine searching Mackey’s jacket as the pensioner lay helpless on the ground. One passer-by heard a shout of “give me the bag” before seeing Mackey lying unresponsive on the pavement. Another alerted the police, who arrived to find Mackey bleeding from his head. Although he briefly regained consciousness, he was unable to explain what had happened before succumbing to his injuries on May 8.
Augustine made off with Mackey’s bag, which contained the groceries and dinner the elderly man had just bought—cornflakes, cottage pie, a pint of milk, sausage and chips, and a newspaper. It was a paltry haul for such a devastating crime. Police later discovered remnants of these items in Augustine’s room, along with food wrappings, further tying him to the scene. The Metropolitan Police arrested Augustine two days later, after CCTV showed him loitering outside the kebab shop as Mackey made his purchase, and then carrying what appeared to be the victim’s bag shortly after the attack.
Throughout the investigation and subsequent trial, Augustine demonstrated no remorse. As reported by Sky News, he was violent and threatening in custody, at one point throwing hot coffee at an officer. During his interview, he insisted, “I ain’t killed nobody mate,” but detectives saw through his denials. His conduct during the trial only deepened the family’s anguish. Patricia Schan, Mackey’s niece, described how Augustine constantly turned around to glare and shout at them from the witness box, “frankly terrifying us,” as she put it. His refusal to attend his own sentencing on November 28, 2025—citing back pain—added another layer of distress for those seeking closure.
The trial at the Old Bailey, which began on November 3, 2025, ended with Augustine being found guilty of murder and robbery. Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC, delivering her ruling live from the court, condemned the attack as a “cowardly act,” stating, “I have no doubt that if this defendant was genuinely starving and had asked Mr Mackey for help, this kind, generous gentleman would have.” She continued, “The defendant targeted him specifically because he was frail… the defendant has shown no remorse.” Augustine was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years—a measure of justice, though one that brings little comfort to those who knew Mackey best.
Mackey’s family, in their tributes, painted a vivid picture of a man who was the heart and soul of his community. “He was the perfect uncle—funny, charming, mysterious, and very definitely mischievous—never seen without his trilby hat and always immaculately dressed,” said Schan in court, as quoted by Metro. A lifelong Arsenal fan and proud Irishman, Mackey had lived in London for nearly seven decades, most of them around Finsbury Park. He was known for his generosity, often slipping a fiver to his nieces and nephews with a conspiratorial whisper, “don’t tell your mum and dad.” He delighted in taking them to see his beloved Arsenal and introducing them to the pubs of Manor House. “He was never happier than when he was with his 10 brothers and sisters—telling stories with lots of laughter always,” his family recalled.
Detective Sergeant Glenn Peach of the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Unit, who led the investigation, reflected on the tragedy: “It is a shameful tragedy that he was killed by Augustine, for a mere few items of shopping. He deserved better.” Peach praised the dedication of his team in building the case and ensuring Augustine was brought to justice, adding, “We are dedicated to tackling violent offenders who carry out horrific acts of violence, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for these acts are brought to justice.”
The family’s gratitude extended to the entire legal and investigative team, including prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC and Family Liaison Officer DC Tufail Miah. “The level of professionalism, kindness, empathy and support given to us as a family from our first contact… has been above and beyond,” the family said in a statement. “Throughout this harrowing experience of the investigation and trial we have felt included and listened to and most importantly from day one a real commitment to getting justice for Uncle John.”
While the community mourns the loss of a man described as “a loved and popular member of his community,” the case has also highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by elderly residents and the challenges of tackling violent crime in urban areas. As prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC noted, Mackey “would have been largely unable to put up any resistance to the attack due to his age and infirmity.” The judge’s remarks, echoed by the family’s statements, underscored the senselessness of the crime and the enduring impact on all who knew Mackey.
Though justice has been served, the pain of the loss lingers. Mackey’s legacy, however, remains intact—a testament to a life well-lived, full of kindness, laughter, and community spirit. As his family put it, “He will always be remembered with love and a smile.”
