Witnesses in the trial of a man accused of murdering an elderly Irish pensioner in London and stealing his groceries, have told the Old Bailey in London that they saw an attacker punching him and shouting "give me the bag".
John Mackey, who was 87, died two days after the alleged attack in which he suffered blunt force impacts to his head and chest.
He was originally from Callan, Co Kilkenny, but lived in North London most of his life.
Peter Augustine, 59, denies the charges of murder and robbery. He was not present in court today, for the second day in a row. The jury was not told why he was absent.
Today the trial heard from three separate witnesses.
Dr Rebecca O'Connell, a medical doctor, told the court that she was walking ahead of John Mackey on a pathway on the evening of the attack.
After overtaking the pensioner and crossing the road, she turned around again and saw him lying on the ground, although her view was partially obstructed by plants.
Dr O'Connell also recalled hearing a man shout "give me the bag, give me the bag".
Despite her obstructed view, she recalled seeing a man dressed in black leaning over John Mackey. At first, she thought he might be helping him.
She recalled seeing a man running off with a bag.
Dr O'Connell sought the assistance of two other passersby, Xian Deng and Qiao Peng.
Ms Peng also gave evidence in court today, telling the trial that she saw the attacker punching a man on the ground in a way she described as "quite fierce".
She said that the man had black hair with dreadlocks, but she didn't see his face.
A third witness, Cemile Bektaseglu, also gave evidence via a Turkish interpreter.
Ms Bektaseglu, a carer, was walking near the scene of the alleged attack with her patient who was in a wheelchair.
She told the jury she saw the attacker punch Mr Mackey with a clenched fist. Mr Mackey was also heard groaning.
Ms Bektaseglu told the court that the attacker stopped what he was doing when she made eye contact with him.
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She then pretended to attend to her patient as she was scared.
Mr Augustine allegedly swore at her as he went past her, holding Mr Mackey's grocery bag.
When Dr Rebecca O'Connell approached Mr Mackey, after the attack, he was lying on the ground. He appeared unconscious and had head injuries. There was also blood on the ground.
She spoke to him, removed his tie to assist with breathing and placed her hand on his chest in a "reassuring way".
Eventually he regained consciousness and asked "where's my bag".
The pensioner tried to sit up, however Dr O'Connell said she encouraged him to remain on the ground.
She called emergency services.
Mr Mackey died in hospital two days later due to head injuries.
Mr Augustine is accused of murdering and robbing the 87-year-old pensioner as he walked home from the supermarket and takeaway after purchasing cornflakes, cottage pie, a newspaper and takeaway.
Mr Augustine denies the charges.
He was arrested two days after the alleged attack and when police entered his hotel room they found containers for the food Mr Mackey bought, which appeared to have been eaten.
The trial continues.
