A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of an 87-year-old pensioner, John Mackey, in north London. Peter Augustine, 59, was found guilty of murder and robbery after attacking Mr Mackey on 6 May, following his visit to a local Co-op store in Manor House. Augustine trailed Mr Mackey from the shop with the intention of stealing his groceries. When Mr Mackey refused to hand over his shopping, Augustine launched a violent assault, kicking and punching him. Witnesses reported hearing shouts of "give me the bag" as Mr Mackey lay motionless on the pavement. Despite regaining consciousness, Mr Mackey was unable to explain the incident to police. He was taken to hospital with severe injuries, including bleeding on the brain and multiple broken ribs, but tragically succumbed to his injuries two days later. The Old Bailey heard that Augustine was arrested two days after the attack, with CCTV footage showing him observing Mr Mackey at a kebab shop shortly before the incident. After the assault, Augustine fled with Mr Mackey's bag, which contained a newspaper, cornflakes, a cottage pie, and his dinner of sausage and chips. During his time in custody, Augustine displayed no remorse, reportedly making threats and acting violently towards officers, including throwing hot coffee at one. Following the trial, Mr Mackey's family paid tribute to him, describing him as a beloved uncle who was "funny, charming, mysterious, and very definitely mischievous." They remembered him fondly for his love of storytelling and his close ties with his family. On 28 November, Augustine was sentenced to a minimum of 23 years in prison for his crimes, marking a significant moment in a case that has shocked the local community. Acting Detective Chief Inspector John Marriott, who led the investigation, expressed the tragedy of Mr Mackey's death, stating, "It is a shameful tragedy that John was killed by Augustine, for a mere few bits of shopping. He deserved better." This case highlights the severe consequences of violent crime and the impact it has on families and communities.