A 59-year-old man will be sentenced at the Old Bailey in London today for the murder of an elderly Irish pensioner in north London last May.
Peter Augustine was found guilty earlier this month of murdering and robbing John Mackey as the 87-year-old walked home from his local supermarket and takeaway.
Mr Mackey was originally from Callan, Co Kilkenny, but moved to London as a teenager, eventually settling down near Finsbury Park.
A bachelor most of his life, he was a much-loved uncle of 22 nieces and nephews.
Mr Mackey's family described him as the "perfect uncle, funny, charming, mysterious and very definitely mischievous, never seen without his trilby hat and always immaculately dressed as he was on the day he was attacked.
"He always had a twinkle in his eye, full of tall tales, doing a bit of business or seeing a man about a dog. He was an ally and a friend to his 22 nieces and nephews, taking most of us to see his beloved Arsenal and introducing some of us to pubs around Manor House."
Last May, as he walked home from his local supermarket and takeaway, Mr Mackey was beaten and robbed.
The 87-year-old, who used a walking stick, died from blunt force impacts to his head and chest.
When Augustine was arrested at the Beaconsfield Hotel on 8 May, empty containers matching the groceries purchased by Mr Mackey were found in Augustine's hotel room. The food appeared to have been eaten.
Read more: John Mackey: The charming Irish pensioner murdered for his groceries
In a police interview, Augustine claimed that he picked the grocery bag off the ground after it was blown by the wind.
However, in court, he told the jury that he was lying during that police interview.
He said that he took the bag out of Mr Mackey's hand and ran.
Augustine insisted that he did not harm Mr Mackey and did not see the 87-year-old fall to the ground.
Augustine, who had denied the charges of murder and robbery, was found guilty on both counts earlier this month.
He is due to be sentenced later today.
