Mugger who killed pensioner for cottage pie jailed for at least 23 years

A robber who fatally attacked a pensioner before taking off with a box of cornflakes and a cottage pie was jailed for at least 23 years. Peter Augustine, 59, punched and kicked 87-year-old John Mackey as he was returning home from a Co-op store in Manor House, north London. He was convicted of robbery and murder following a trial at the Old Bailey, and was also sentenced for the theft of a rucksack in a separate incident. Augustine did not attend his sentencing hearing, claiming he was suffering from back pain. Imposing a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years, Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC said: "I have no hesitation in finding that his non-attendance is voluntary and it is appropriate to sentence him in his absence." Augustine attacked "gentle, innocent" Mr Mackey "for a box of cornflakes, a pint of milk and a saveloy sausage", Judge Whitehouse said, adding that "I have no doubt that if this defendant was genuinely starving and had asked Mr Mackey for help, this kind, generous gentleman would have" assisted him. She said: "I have no doubt that the defendant targeted him specifically because he was frail - it was a cowardly act, the defendant has shown no remorse." Augustine was also sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment for theft and eight years for robbery. All three sentences will be served concurrently. The judge's sentencing remarks can be read in full at: https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/th... SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more videos:    / @skynewscourts   Follow Sky News on Twitter:   / skynews   and   / skynewsbreak   Like us on Facebook:   / skynews   Follow us on Instagram:   / skynews   For more content go to http://news.sky.com and download our apps: Apple https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sky-n... Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...