Robber who killed Irish OAP for pie & cornflakes gets 23 years

A ROBBER who fatally kicked, punched and stamped on a vulnerable Irish pensioner before taking off with a box of cornflakes and a cottage pie has been sentenced to life in jail, with a minimum term of 23 years.

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John Mackey, 87, was targeted by unemployed Peter Augustine after he visited a Coop store in Manor House, London, on the afternoon of May 6.

Earlier in November, a jury in the UK found Augustine, 59, guilty of robbery and murder. He was also sentenced for a theft charge that was dealt with at a magistrates' court.

Augustine did not attend his sentencing at the court in London yesterday, claiming he had back pain.

Handing out her ruling, which was broadcast live from the court, Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC said: "I have no hesitation in finding that his nonattendance is voluntary and it is appropriate to sentence him in his absence."