August trial for man accused of murdering Islington’s ‘Flower Man’

An alleged killer accused of stabbing a popular florist to death will stand trial in August.

James Peppiatt, 22, allegedly murdered 55-year-old Tony Eastlake, known as the ‘Flower Man of Islington’ by customers, in Essex Road, Islington, on 29 May 2021.

Mr Eastlake was stabbed in the lower back shortly after finishing work. He collapsed and died in the street.

The victim had been in a relationship with Peppiatt’s mother, Alicia Callaghan, who took her own life weeks earlier, the court has heard.

Peppiatt’s trial had been due to start on 18 July 2022 but did not go ahead because of the barristers’ strike, which has since been resolved.

The case has been rescheduled for 7 August this year.

Judge Richard Marks, KC, the Common Serjeant of London today (tues) extended the time Peppiatt can be kept in custody until 11 August.

It is the fifth time the custody time limits have been extended as a result of Covid and the strikes.

Peppiatt will have been in prison for more than two years by the time of his trial.

Judge Marks said: ‘This case was due to be tried last year but the trial date was unable to be kept due to the bar strike, even though the prosecution was trial ready.’

Julian Evans, prosecuting, earlier said: ‘Mr Eastlake was a florist who worked on a flower stall opposite Essex Road station for 40 years.

‘He was a very well-known member of the local community.

‘He separated from his wife in 2018 and in due course he began a relationship with Alicia Callaghan, the defendant’s mother.

‘In due course Mr Eastlake moved into her address in Elmore Street, N1.

‘On 1st April this year Ms Callaghan took her own life, that had a great impact upon the defendant, it also had a great impact on the victim.

‘On the day the victim was working on the flower stall he finished at about 5pm.’

The pair are said to have met and exchanged blows in an ‘altercation’ which left Peppiatt with a face injury, the court heard.

Moments later they clashed again on Halliford Street and Peppiatt allegedly stabbed Mr Eastlake, inflicting a fatal injury to the victim’s aorta.

Mr Eastlake had worked at the same market stall on Essex Road since he was 14.

Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects at a vigil at his flower stand, Florence & Fleur, on May 31.

Peppiatt, of Elmore Street, Islington, denies murder.