A drunken thug who fatally wounded a “visibly frail” man in Camden Road pleaded guilty to his manslaughter at Wood Green Crown Court yesterday,

Wayne Packer, 31 of Arlington Road, NW1, was heavily intoxicated when he attacked 50-year-old Peter O'Loughlin on June 4.

Peter's condition deteriorated in hospital and scans revealed he had suffered a bleed on the brain as a result of the assault. He died from his injuries on Wednesday June 26.

Det Sgt Kerry Burgess, from specialist crime, said: "Wayne Packer was heavily intoxicated that night, to the point that he did not realise he had dropped his phone.

"In a drunken rage, he appears to have taken his anger out on the first person he saw - unfortunately this was Peter O'Loughlin, a frail man in poor health.

"Peter could not offer any resistance to Packer's cowardly assault - he was an innocent man who died as a result of a truly senseless attack."

Mr O'Loughlin travelled by bus to Holloway Road the night he was set upon.

Packer - who was heavily intoxicated - was walking in nearby Camden Road. As he staggered along the road, he dropped his phone. He realised it was gone as he approached Mr O'Loughlin and accused him of stealing it, launching into a verbal assault.

Mr O'Loughlin - who had a history of ill health ill - was then viciously assaulted by Packer, who punched him to the ground. Packer continued to kick and punch him as he struggled to stand.

Passers-by tried to intervene, but Packer threatened them, intimating he had a knife before fleeing the scene.

Police and paramedics arrived and sent Mr O'Loughlin, who didn't appear visibly injured, to hospital.

Packer was arrested on July 1 but denied being involved in a fight.

Despite the weight of evidence against him, including CCTV footage, he refused to answer questions about his involvement.

But on the first day of his trial for murder, Packer intimated he would admit manslaughter - a plea that was accepted by the court.

Packer will be sentenced at the same court on January 23.

Did you know Peter O'Loughlin? Contact Lucas at the newsdesk with tributes on 020 7433 0121 or email lucas.cumiskey@archant.co.uk