Man sentenced for murdering "kind and gentle" pensioner in unprovoked attack
79-year-old Franklin Agbotui died five days after the attack.
Man sentenced for murdering “kind and gentle” pensioner in unprovoked attack
“We continue to feel the absence of our father’s kindness, his humour and his guidance”, his family said.
STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO
APRIL 29, 2026
A man who brutally killed a “kind and gentle” pensioner in an unprovoked attack has been sentenced to life in jail.
Phillip Fraczek pleaded guilty to murdering 79-year-old Franklin Agbotui who had retired from a long and successful career in the Merchant Navy.
Fraczek entered a block of flats in West Ham, east London, on May 15, 2024 at around 1.30pm, where he tried to enter multiple properties before he fell asleep on the floor.
At around 2.55pm, he was woken and asked to leave by Franklin, but 10 minutes later, neighbours heard banging noises and screaming coming from his flat.
Metropolitan Police were called and found the pensioner horrifically injured and oficers performed emergency CPR before he was taken to hospital by London’s Air Ambulance where he sadly died five days later on May 20.
On Monday April 27, 2026, after pleading guilty to murder and assault of an emergency worker, Fraczek has now been sentenced to life with a minimum 20 years and fours months.
In a victim impact statement, Franklin’s family expressed how the death of their “deeply present” father had left a void in their lives.
They said: “Our father lived a quiet, humble life grounded in integrity, respect, perseverance, education and faith. He instilled these values in us consistently and led by example.
“Despite his modest nature, he was deeply present in our lives - offering guidance, checking in regularly and sending daily messages. He was a constant, steady source of support. Beyond our immediate family, he was an active and valued member of his church community, where his absence has also been keenly felt.
“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.
“His death has had a profound and far-reaching impact on our wellbeing, our sense of stability and our family as a whole. The consequences - emotional, practical and long term - remain ongoing, and we continue to navigate life without the presence and support that defined his role in our lives.”
A neighbour whose door Fraczek had knocked on hours earlier, spotted him trying to flee the scene and alerted officers who chased him on foot.
He was then caught and arrested two streets away on Geere Road with his knuckles and Nike trainers covered in blood which forensic scientists were later able to confirm was Franklin’s.
As the two officers restrained him, he attacked them and headbutted one in the jaw.
Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen, whose team led this investigation, said: “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.
“I would like to thank the Met officers who put themselves in harm’s way to chase down Fraczek and detain him, bringing him immediately into custody and preserving vital evidence.
“Our thoughts remain with Franklin’s family and friends, and hope the lengthy sentence can bring them some degree of peace.”