Thomas O’Halloran: Man denies fatally knifing pensioner, 87, on mobility scooter in west London

A man has pleaded not guilty to stabbing an 87-year-old pensioner riding a mobility scooter.

Lee Byer, 44, denied the murder of Thomas O’Halloran in Greenford, west London, on August 16.

The Irish grandfather - who was said to be well known in the local community - collapsed from his mobility aid outside Runnymede Gardens after having been stabbed repeatedly.

Police officers were alerted by a passerby who had found the victim travelling in his scooter from a passageway, while badly injured.

He was able to tell the member of the public that he had been stabbed at around 4pm, despite wounds on his body being clearly visible.

Minutes later, by the time the Met arrived, Mr O’Halloran had collapsed, and police and medics had to take over administering first aid.

But despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 4.54pm.

A post-mortem examination found he had suffered multiple injuries stab to the neck, chest and stomach areas.

Byer, of no fixed address, was charged on August 19 with the murder of Mr O’Halloran and possession of a large knife.

At a hearing at the Old Bailey today (Friday, December 9) Byer stood in the dock as he pleaded not guilty to both charges.

He faces a trial of up to three weeks from May 2, and Judge Mark Lucraft KC set a pre-trial hearing for February 13.

Charity busker Mr O’Halloran, originally of western Ireland, was a passionate musician, described as “very popular” in Greenford.