Man jailed for beating retired seafarer to death

A man has been jailed for beating a pensioner to death in a "savage and unprovoked attack" in east London.

Phillip Fraczek was asked to leave a block of flats on Plaistow Road, West Ham, at about 13:00 BST on 15 May 2024 where he had been trying multiple doors and sleeping on the floor.

About 90 minutes later, he was confronted by 79‑year‑old Franklin Agbotui. Neighbours soon heard banging and screams coming from Agbotui's flat and called police.

Fraczek, now 22, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to murder and assaulting an emergency worker, at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 6 February. He was sentenced on Monday to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 20 years and four months.

Agbotui was found with what police described as "horrific injuries" and died in hospital five days after the attack.

Fraczek tried to flee the scene but was arrested two streets away on Geere Road.

His knuckles and trainers were covered in blood, which forensic tests were later able to link to Agbotui.

Agbotui's children described their father as a man who lived a "humble life grounded in integrity, respect, perseverance, education and faith" and said he was an "active and valued" member of his church community.

In an impact statement, they said: "We continue to feel the absence of our father's kindness, his humour and his guidance.

"The regular contact and reassurance he provided are no longer there, leaving a void in our daily lives."

Det Supt Kelly Allen, whose team led the investigation, added: "Franklin was known to friends and neighbours as a kind and gentle man, often seen tending the flowers in their shared garden.

"He had a long and successful career in the Merchant Navy and had earned a happy retirement.

"This was horrifically taken from him by Fraczek, whose unprovoked and savage attack has rocked this community."

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