Serial burglar Ashley Malcolm jailed for 18 years for killing granddad, 86, with headbutt

Serial burglar Ashley Malcolm jailed for 18 years for killing granddad, 86, with headbutt Ashley Malcolm brutally attacked John Burke, 86, leaving him with bleeding on the brain and a fractured nose as the hard-working family man protected his 91-year-old wife at their home in Hackney, east London A serial burglar has been jailed for 18 years for killing a dementia-suffering great-grandfather by headbutting the 86-year-old as he defended his elderly wife. Ashley Malcolm, 40, brutally attacked John Burke, 86, leaving him with bleeding on the brain and a fractured nose, as he protected the "love of his life with everything he had". John died the day after the "evil act of violence" at his home in Hackney, east London, which took place in the early hours of September 29, 2025. The retired pipe fitter was found dead by his son after being discharged from hospital when doctors failed to notice his injuries. During sentencing on Thursday, the Old Bailey was told that Malcolm has convictions going back 20 years for 12 burglaries and ten violent assaults, including an attack on a prison guard when he bit off part of his ear. Malcolm was today sentenced to 18 years with a further five years on extended licence. John, who came to London from Ireland as a teenager, lived in a flat in Fountayne Road, Hackney with his 91-year-old wife Peggy, both of whom suffered from dementia. John protected the woman he loved Malcolm entered the property shortly before midnight, and stayed inside for three hours before leaving with a shopping trolley of goods. Grandson Reece Lambert told the court that his football-loving grandfather had given his life protecting the "love of his life." Reading his victim impact statement, Mr Lambert said: "I'm certain that my grandad suffered his life-ending injuries because he was doing the one thing he felt he was still on this earth for, protecting the woman he loved. "That was something he was willing to die for. It's a terrible heartbreaking fact that he did die, certainly in the circumstances that he did. "Our hearts break and are emptier at the loss of him, but I’m certain his heart was full because he protected the love of his life with everything he had left." John's son Sean Burke told of the horror of finding his dad dead on the floor of his bedroom. He said: "Dad was a quiet, hard-working, easy-going man who never had a bad word for anyone and I never witnessed him have a cross word with anyone. He was the man that showed me that hard work, respect, good manners and a good heart would always pay off. His life revolved around going to work and enjoying the company of family and friends." John's legacy 'defined by the life he lived, the love he gave' Mr Burke said he had been preparing himself for the day that he might find his dad either "lifeless or needing medical attention," but added: "I had never expected it to be in such traumatic circumstances." Referring to Malcolm, Mr Burke continued: "This man, who I cannot bring myself to even name, has now become a permanent scar in my mind as I drift back to thinking about my dad. He now sits alongside him." Mr Burke added that "no amount of time spent in prison will ever be enough," because of the "life changing scars" he has inflicted on so many people. He said: "He has caused an insurmountable amount of pain, sorrow and grief to all the members of our family." Granddaughter Mollie Flynn said: "Our world was shattered from this evil act of violence, and I don't think any of us will ever recover from this heartbreak." Another son, Danny Burke, said of his dad: "His legacy isn’t defined by the violence that took him from us that night, it’s defined by the life he lived, the love he gave, and the way he shaped me into the person I am today. "The things in life that dad taught me were hard work, honesty and family values that I now pass on to my own children." Killed in his own home Prosecutor Mukul Chawla KC told the court that John was killed "in what should have been the safety of his own home." Mr Chawla said Malcolm had 22 convictions for violence and burglary, including a 2018 attack on a prison officer who he headbutted and bit off part of his ear. The court heard that at the time he was killed, John suffered from heart problems and dementia. Malcolm entered John's flat shortly before midnight, and spent hours going through draws, even leaving at one point only to return, before finally exiting with a shopping trolley of goods. CCTV footage tracked Malcom proceeding to break into a residential care home in Hackney at 6.25am. When confronted by a support worker he ran towards him, making "loud groaning noises" and allegedly reached towards his waistband for something. Half an hour later at 6.55am, he went on to attempt to burgle a flat in nearby Stamford Hill. He unsuccessfully tried to force entry with a screwdriver - a female resident wearing just a towel challenged him to which he reacted violently. As she tried to hold the door shut, the prowler screamed and threatened to kill her, jurors heard. Her husband ran downstairs armed with a bicycle pump and shouted: "If you come back to my house, you will see what will happen", to which Malcolm allegedly replied: "I rob you before." Malcolm then took the bicycle pump and attacked the man with it before punching him on the ground. Malcolm, of Hackney, has admitted burgling Mr Burke's home of various items including food and medication, another burglary and attempted burglary. He had denied murder and manslaughter and assault inflicting actual bodily harm to the male occupant of the flat he tried to break into. The murder charge was later dropped when he pleaded guilty to manslaughter part way through a trial earlier this year.