Man jailed for manslaughter following death of great-grandfather in Hackney burglary

A burglar has been jailed for manslaughter after a great-grandfather died following a break-in at his home.

Ashley Malcolm, 39 (29.11.1985), of Reighton Road, Hackney, was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 1 October for the manslaughter of 86-year-old John Burke. He will serve a further five years on licence.

He must serve two thirds of his custodial sentence before parole can be considered.

Malcolm, who refused to attend the courtroom for the sentencing, was deemed to be a dangerous offender by the judge.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at the same court on Monday, 20 July.

Detective Inspector Ben Dalloway from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, who led the investigation, said: “John lost his life in truly tragic circumstances, facing a terrible attack in his own home following a burglary. My thoughts very much remain with John’s family and loved ones as they continue to grieve his loss. They thought the world of him and their time with him was cut short because of Malcom’s despicable actions.

“Officers worked diligently throughout this case, reacting quickly when any new information came to light and working hard to gather evidence to prove John’s death was a direct result of Malcolm’s actions.

“The Met remains committed to tackling burglary and recognises the significant impact on local communities.”

Following a thorough and comprehensive investigation by the Met, Malcolm was arrested on suspicion of burglary and murder on Wednesday, 1 October 2025 after officers identified him through CCTV enquiries. He was charged with murder on Monday, 27 October, however, the Crown Prosecution Service accepted his guilty plea to manslaughter.

The court heard that at 10:06hrs on 29 September 2025, police were called to reports of an aggravated burglary with a man assaulted at an address in Fountayne Road, Hackney.

Malcolm broke in the evening before through a door. He went into the bedroom, where John was sleeping, and headbutted him in the face before ransacking the room. John’s wife remained asleep in another bedroom, which appeared untouched by Malcolm.

John was too scared to leave the room and waited until his carers arrived the next morning at about 10:00hrs. He told them what happened and they called the police.

Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service who treated John before taking him to hospital. He was discharged from hospital later that day.

John, who suffered from dementia, was found unresponsive at his home the next day. He was rushed to hospital but he sadly died. Due to the close timing of the assault and his death, officers conducted extensive enquiries. After police sought further medical evidence, the case became a murder investigation on Wednesday, 22 October.

In court, John’s son Sean said: “My dad did not deserve to die in such a way, he had earned the right to pass away from natural causes in his own silent way. Looking back now on the events of that night, it angers me to think what this man had put my dad through. To think that this man felt that he had to attack my dad, who was a vulnerable and frail elderly person who would never have been able to fight back. There was nothing of any value in the house as my parents did not have much, but they had each other.

“My dad was obviously too terrified or hurt to come out of the room and waited seven hours until someone arrived at the house. How scared and alone he must have felt throughout this time, but even when the police turned up he brushed it off as no big deal.

“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. A position he did not either earn or deserve.

“No amount of time spent in prison will ever be enough, because of the harm and life-changing scars he has inflicted on so many people. He has caused an insurmountable amount of pain, sorrow and grief to all the members of our family. We all loved dad dearly and he will be forever missed.”

John’s son Danny said: “For me, the impact has been constant. There are days when the grief feels unbearable, and days when it’s quieter but still present, like a weight I carry everywhere. I miss him in ways I can’t fully explain and there are moments I want to tell him something but then I realise he is no longer here.

“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.”

+ Malcolm was also sentenced for a burglary in Gransden Avenue, E8 on 24 May 2025, an attempted burglary in Chardmore Road, N16 on 20 July 2025 and possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. The sentences for these offences will run concurrently alongside his manslaughter sentencing.