A 40-year-old man was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the manslaughter of an 86-year-old pensioner during a burglary at the victim’s home in Hackney, east London. Ashley Malcolm was convicted of the charge after admitting manslaughter midway through his trial at the Old Bailey.

The incident occurred in September of last year, when Malcolm was captured on security footage prowling in the garden of John Burke and his wife, Peggy, who are both elderly and living with dementia. During the three-hour ordeal, Burke, who was caring for his wife, was headbutted by Malcolm while trying to shield her from harm.

Malcolm, who has a criminal history including previous convictions for burglary and violence dating back to when he was 15, had been arrested two months prior following a separate burglary. On the night of the incident, he also broke into other properties located within 300 yards of the Burkes’ home.

CCTV footage revealed Malcolm entering the Burkes’ property just before midnight. He initially stole a shopping trolley bag before returning to take a box containing additional items. When the couple’s nurses arrived the following morning, police found Burke had suffered a brain injury, although bleeding on the brain was not immediately identified. Burke was later discovered unconscious at home the next day and was subsequently hospitalized.

Malcolm was originally charged with murder but changed his plea to manslaughter during the trial last July. Throughout sentencing, Malcolm refused to attend court. Judge Simon Mayor pronounced the 18-year prison term following the conviction.