Man re-sentenced to life in prison for 2018 Brighton murder
Sergio Lemori jailed again for unprovoked attack on Andrew O’Connell
A man has been re-sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering another man in Brighton eight years ago.
Sergio Lemori was initially convicted for the unprovoked attack on Andrew O'Connell in Royal Pavilion Gardens in 2018, where he severely injured O'Connell by repeatedly dropping a stone slab on his head while he slept.
O'Connell, who lived in Chatham, Kent, but sometimes slept outdoors, was found by members of the public the following morning.
He was transferred to Royal Sussex County Hospital but died from his injuries two days later, aged 54.
Lemori, now 40, successfully appealed his initial conviction on the grounds of diminished responsibility after serving six years of his sentence.
However, a jury at retrial returned a unanimous guilty verdict on 6th August, leading to Lemori's re-sentencing on 11th August to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years.
Andrew's family released a tribute highlighting their enduring pain and commitment to justice, saying:
“Today, we remember not the person who caused so much pain, but the person whose life mattered beyond measure.
“Although the defendant chose to appeal, the truth remained unchanged. Justice has once again spoken, and the guilty verdict stands. 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.
“We honour a life that was taken far too soon, a life that touched so many people with love, kindness, and memories that will never fade. His absence is felt every day, but so too is his lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to have known him.
“Today is not a celebration of a verdict—it is a tribute to a life. The guilty verdict does not bring Andy back, but it does affirm that his life mattered, his story mattered, and the truth prevailed."
Detective Inspector Debbie Birch, of the Major Crime Team, said: “Firstly, I’d like to commend the incredible strength and courage shown by Andrew’s family, who have had to endure court proceedings for a second time.
"I hope that following the unanimous guilty verdict, they are finally able to find some solace.
“This was a completely unprovoked attack on a vulnerable and defenceless man who was unknown to Lemori, and who was simply minding his own business as he slept in Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Gardens that night, having been given prior permission to sleep there.”