A man has been found guilty of murder for the second time after he repeatedly dropped a heavy stone slab onto a stranger’s head while the victim slept.

Sergio Lemori assaulted 54-year-old Andrew O’Connell at Royal Pavilion Gardens in Brighton on August 7, 2018.

Lemori received an initial life sentence but successfully challenged his conviction after serving more than six years behind bars, arguing that his responsibility had been diminished.

At a fresh hearing at Hove Crown Court commencing July 27, jurors delivered a unanimous guilty verdict on August 6.

CCTV recordings captured Lemori dropping the stone slab repeatedly onto Mr O’Connell’s head while the victim lay sleeping in the gardens.

Lemori, now aged 40, was held in custody and brought before the same court on August 11.

He was handed a fresh life term with a minimum tariff of 25 years.

Mr O’Connell, who resided in Chatham, Kent, would occasionally choose to sleep outdoors.

Mr O’Connell was not found until 7.10am the day following the assault and was transported to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

The 54-year-old succumbed to his injuries two days later.

In a statement issued by his relatives, Mr O’Connell’s family commented: Today marks a day to commemorate not the individual who inflicted such suffering, but the person whose existence held infinite value.

Even though the defendant pursued an appeal, the facts remained unaltered.

Justice has prevailed once more, and the conviction has been upheld.

No judicial ruling can reverse the bereavement or eliminate the anguish, though it reinforces what we have always understood: that Andy was entitled to justice, respect, and the opportunity to have his account heard.

We pay tribute to a life extinguished far too prematurely, a life that touched countless individuals with affection, compassion, and recollections that will endure eternally.

His presence is missed daily, yet so is the profound influence he had on all those privileged to have known him.

This process has proved protracted and agonizing.

We have encountered sorrow, doubt, and the psychological burden of revisiting unthinkable occurrences.

Nevertheless, throughout this period, we have stayed resolute in our commitment to pursue justice and guarantee that the victim is never overlooked.

Today is not a celebration of a ruling, but rather a commemoration of a life.

The conviction does not restore Andy, though it confirms that his existence held significance, his account held significance, and the facts triumphed.

May Dad and Andy find eternal rest, cherished with affection, honoured with respect, and perpetually remembered.

Detective Inspector Debbie Birch from the Major Crime Team stated: I would first and foremost recognise the remarkable fortitude demonstrated by Andrew’s family, who have had to endure a second set of court proceedings.

This was an entirely unwarranted assault on a defenceless man who was unknown to Lemori, who was merely going about his own affairs while sleeping in Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Gardens that evening, having previously been given consent to stay there.