00:00During the night of the 28th and 29th of September of last year,
00:05you embarked upon a sustained course of criminal conduct,
00:09which involved breaking into several residential properties.
00:14At Mr. and Mrs. Burke's address,
00:17you entered the home of two elderly and vulnerable occupants.
00:23The burglary took place over a prolonged period.
00:26You left the property and returned to it in order to steal further items.
00:33During the course of that burglary, you headbutted Mr. Burke.
00:37The headbutt fractured his nose and caused intercranial bleeding,
00:44and he later died as a consequence of those injuries.
00:4840-year-old Ashley Malcolm of Hackney attacked 86-year-old retired plumber John Burke
00:54in the home he shared with his wife, Peggy, in Hackney early on the 29th of September 2025.
01:02Grandson Rhys Lambert said he believed his grandfather was attacked
01:06as he protected the woman he loved with everything he had.
01:10He described his grandfather, originally from Dublin,
01:14as stoic and quiet with a wicked sense of humour and an enduring love for his wife.
01:19Within hours of burglaring, the elderly couple, Malcolm broke into a care home
01:25and attempted to burgle another flat while the occupants were at home.
01:30Malcolm pleaded guilty to manslaughter and a string of other offences
01:34and was jailed for 18 years with a further five years on extended licence.
01:39Before today's hearing, I read the victim personal statements
01:44provided by members of the Burke family.
01:48And I have listened as some family members read those moving statements to the court today.
01:55They reveal the devastating consequences of your offending
02:00for Mr Burke's widow, Peggy, his children, his grandchildren, and his wider family.
02:10The statements describe John Burke as a hard-working, gentle, and devoted family man
02:18who was deeply loved and respected by those who knew him.
02:23Even in advancing age and declining health, he remained at the centre of family life
02:31and continued to provide support and companionship to his wife and family.
02:39His death has deprived the family of a man whose quiet presence, guidance, and affection
02:48formed an important part of their lives.
02:52The statements speak eloquently of enduring grief and of the loss of future years.
