A “COWARDLY” burglar headbutted a frail pensioner to death during a night-time raid on his home, a court heard.
Ashley Malcolm, 40, is accused of murdering 86-year-old John Burke after allegedly attacking him inside his flat in Hackney, north east .
John Burke (pictured) died after he was assaulted during a break-in at his home in Hackney, north London Credit: Met Police
Ashley Malcolm, 40, is on trial for murder at the OId Bailey Credit: Getty
The Old Bailey heard Mr Burke, who suffered from and other health problems, died in hospital the day after the alleged assault on September 30 last year.
Prosecutor Mukul Chawla KC told jurors Malcolm went on a burglary spree that day, targeting three properties and allegedly turning violent whenever he was challenged.
Opening the case, Mr Chawla said Malcolm violently assaulted Mr Burke by headbutting him in the face during the burglary.
He told jurors: “As a result of that cowardly assault, Mr Burke died in hospital on September 30 2025 in circumstances you may think are deeply unfortunate.”
The court heard Mr Burke lived with his 91-year-old wife Peggy in a flat on Fountayne Road.
Malcolm allegedly broke into the couple’s home shortly before midnight and remained inside for around 90 minutes before leaving with a wheeled shopping trolley bag taken from the property.
Prosecutors say he later returned at about 2.45am after dropping off the contents elsewhere and spent another 20 minutes inside before leaving carrying a box.
Mr Chawla told jurors: “What was it that gave him the confidence to return to that flat?
“Presumably, he wouldn’t have done it if he was going to be disturbed.”
The court heard CCTV allegedly tracked Malcolm as he later burgled a residential care home in Hackney at about 6.25am.
When confronted by a support worker, he allegedly ran towards him while making loud groaning noises and reaching towards his waistband.
Just half an hour later, Malcolm is accused of trying to force his way into another flat in nearby Stamford Hill using a screwdriver.
Jurors heard the female occupant, wearing only a towel after getting out of the shower, confronted the alleged intruder as he tried to force the door open.
Mr Chawla said Malcolm again allegedly reacted violently when challenged by the woman and her husband.
The prosecutor said the woman tried to hold the door shut as he screamed and threatened to kill her.
Her husband grabbed a bicycle pump and shouted: “If you come back to my house, you will see what will happen.”
Malcolm allegedly replied: “I rob you before, p**syhole.”
The court heard Malcolm then allegedly grabbed the bicycle pump, attacked the man with it and punched him as he lay on the ground.
Later that morning, a healthcare worker visiting Mr Burke noticed a broken window and found the kitchen in disarray before discovering the pensioner injured.
Jurors heard Mr Burke told her: “Oh thanks you’re here. He attacked me.
“He beat me up last night around 11pm, a 6ft-tall man. He used to be one of the caretakers.”
Paramedics were told Mr Burke believed he had been headbutted by two men but had been too frightened to leave his bedroom and call 999.
Before going to hospital, he also told his grandson: “He gave me a real smack on the eye.”
Although discharged later that day, Mr Burke was found unconscious by his son the following morning.
A CT scan revealed a devastating brain injury, bruising and a broken nose that jurors heard had been missed during his first hospital visit.
Mr Chawla said a consultant concluded Mr Burke had suffered a “devastating and irreversible injury to the brain” and could not be saved.
Cops arrested Malcolm on October 1 after tracing him through CCTV and forensic evidence.
The court heard he replied: “I didn’t do no murder.”
Malcolm, of Hackney, has admitted burgling Mr Burke’s home, another burglary and an attempted burglary.
He denies murdering or manslaughtering Mr Burke and denies assault causing actual bodily harm to the male occupant of the Stamford Hill flat.
The trial continues.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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