A man has appeared in court over the death of a 57-year-old shopper at a Sainsbury’s store in Merton, southwest London, which resulted from an argument over queue-jumping.

Tony Virasami, 37, of Catford in Lewisham, allegedly punched the victim, Kevin Trip, to the ground and left him bleeding after a dispute erupted when a woman accused a fellow shopper of jumping the queue at a checkout. The assault took place at about 7pm on Tuesday (June 11).

A Sainsbury’s employee told The Daily Mail: “He fell backwards and his head hit the ground. He just never got up. I didn’t see the punch, but I saw the blood everywhere.”

Trip, from Colliers Wood, southwest London, died from his injuries in hospital on Wednesday. He leaves behind a long-term partner and five-year-old child.

Virasami was remanded in custody by Wimbledon magistrates and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on September 18.

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