Reconviction follows appeal; family say verdict restores dignity
The man who killed Andrew O'Connell, a Chatham resident who was sleeping rough in Brighton, has been reconvicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years.
Sergio Lemori, aged 40 and described in court as of no fixed address, was found guilty by a unanimous jury at Hove Crown Court of the murder of Mr O'Connell, whose body was found after an unprovoked attack in the Royal Pavilion Gardens on the night of 7 August 2018.
The conviction follows an appeal that successfully challenged Lemori's original verdict on the basis of diminished responsibility. After that appeal he was retried; the jury at the retrial returned a unanimous guilty verdict and the judge imposed the life term with the 25‑year minimum tariff.
CCTV evidence played a key role in the case. Footage shown in court captured Lemori carrying out the attack, during which he repeatedly struck Mr O'Connell with a stone slab. Mr O'Connell, who was not known to Lemori, suffered fatal injuries and died two days after the assault.
"Although the defendant chose to appeal, the truth remained unchanged. While no court decision can undo the loss or erase the suffering, it reaffirms what we have always known - that Andy deserved justice, dignity, and to have his voice heard," said Mr O'Connell's family in a statement after the reconviction.
Local impact and context
The case will resonate in Chatham because of Mr O'Connell's connections to the town. It is also likely to prompt renewed discussions locally about the vulnerabilities faced by people sleeping rough and the protection of those living on the margins of society.
The family’s reaction underlines the human cost behind the legal process. In their statement they praised the outcome as an affirmation of Mr O'Connell’s dignity and the care he inspired among those who knew him.
- Victim: Andrew O'Connell, from Chatham, Kent
- Defendant: Sergio Lemori, 40, of no fixed address
- Incident: Attack in Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, 7 August 2018
- Sentence: Life imprisonment, minimum term 25 years
Case timeline
| Event | Date / detail |
|---|---|
| Attack on Andrew O'Connell | Night of 7 August 2018 |
| Original plea | Pleaded guilty in December 2018 |
| Successful appeal | Appeal allowed after six years; retrial ordered |
| Retrial and reconviction | Unanimous guilty verdict at Hove Crown Court |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment with minimum term of 25 years |
The retrial followed the successful appeal which had challenged the original conviction on grounds of diminished responsibility. At the first trial, held after the defendant initially denied the offence, he later admitted murder. The retrial removed questions raised in the appeal and resulted in a unanimous verdict that reinstated the original finding of guilt.
The verdict and sentence mark the end of a long legal process for Mr O'Connell's family and for the communities touched by his death. The family said the reconviction "reaffirms what we have always known" and honoured a life they described as one that "touched so many people with love, kindness, and memories that will never fade." For Chatham, the outcome will be a reminder of the impact that such crimes have beyond the immediate location of the offence.
Local services and charities working with people who are rough sleeping may see renewed public interest in the factors that place vulnerable individuals at risk. For now, the court’s decision has provided the family with a measure of legal closure while highlighting longstanding concerns about the safety and dignity of those living on the streets.
