Ashley Malcolm Accused of Murdering John Burke During Hackney Burglary
Man faces murder charge following violent home invasion and subsequent death of 86-year-old in north London.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Ashley Malcolm, 40, stands accused of murdering 86-year-old John Burke during a night-time raid on Mr. Burke's home in Hackney, north London, on September 29, 2025.
Prosecutor Mukul Chawla KC states Malcolm broke into two homes and tried to force his way into a third, reacting violently when challenged.
During the first burglary, Malcolm violently assaulted Mr. Burke, headbutting him in the face.
Mr. Burke, suffering from dementia and other conditions, died in hospital on September 30, 2025, a direct result of that assault.
Malcolm entered Mr. Burke's flat shortly before midnight, remaining for an hour and a half before leaving with a shopping bag.
He returned at 2:45 am, spent another 20 minutes inside, and then departed with a box.
This incident in Hackney occurs amidst a 15% increase in burglaries targeting individuals over 75 in the past year alone.
Local authorities recorded 3,500 such incidents across London, with community leaders demanding enhanced policing.
He gave me a real smack on the eye.
Beyond Mr. Burke's home, Malcolm burgled a residential care home in Hackney at 6:25 am.
He confronted a support worker at the care home, running towards him, making loud groaning noises, and reaching for something in his waistband.
Following this, Malcolm then attempted to burgle a flat in Stamford Hill at 6:55 am, trying to force entry with a screwdriver.
He acted violently towards the female occupant and her husband when confronted during this attempted break-in.
The intruder screamed and threatened to kill the woman.
Malcolm took a bicycle pump and attacked the man with it before punching him on the ground.
Earlier, Mr. Burke told a healthcare worker that a 6ft-tall man, who used to be one of the caretakers, attacked and beat him up around 11 pm the previous night.
He also told paramedics he had been headbutted by two men, and informed his grandson that his eye was painful, stating, "He gave me a real smack on the eye."
An ambulance crew formed the view that Mr. Burke had a bleed on the brain, guiding immediate medical intervention.
A subsequent CT scan confirmed a brain injury, multiple areas of bruising, and a broken nose, detailing extensive physical trauma.
I didn't do no murder.
When arrested, Malcolm responded, "I didn't do no murder," a statement now forming part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
Local councillors and residents held public meetings, discussing safety measures and support for victims of crime.