Plumstead man punched in face for walking up wrong side of Tube stairs at Tottenham Court Road Underground station

1:34pm Friday 26th October 2012 in News By Sarah Trotter

CCTV image of man police would like to identify in connection with Tube attack CCTV image of man police would like to identify in connection with Tube attack

A PLUMSTEAD commuter was punched repeatedly in the face for walking up the wrong side of stairs at a Tube station.

The 46-year-old man was taken to hospital with heavy facial bruising and a split eyelid following the “unprovoked” attack on October 8.

The victim was walking up the right-hand side of stairs in Tottenham Court Road’s underground station when a man pointed to a ‘keep left’ sign before punching him in the face.

He fell to the floor and, as he was regaining his balance, was struck again, leaving him unable to open his eye.

Police have released CCTV images of a man they would like to identify in connection with the assault, which happened around 12.30pm.

Detective Constable Mortimer said: “This was an entirely unprovoked attack on a man who was simply trying to leave the station.

"It appears the attacker was annoyed that the victim didn’t keep to the left while walking, but that is absolutely no excuse for his violent response.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident, or who recognises the man pictured, to come forward and help officers in this investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting B11/LUA of 25/10/2012 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Comments(10)

Bort24 says...
3:31pm Fri 26 Oct 12

“unprovoked” attack? Would have thought the provoketion (not sure that is a real word) would be the fact the man was not following the keep left signs? Not that it gives any reason or excuse to assault the guy though.

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PaulErith says...
4:14pm Fri 26 Oct 12

Bort24 wrote:
“unprovoked” attack? Would have thought the provoketion (not sure that is a real word) would be the fact the man was not following the keep left signs? Not that it gives any reason or excuse to assault the guy though.
In terms of the law it is unprovoked. If in court, the bloke admitted doing it he wouldn't get a lighter sentence on the basis of being provoked. If he'd politely asked the guy not to walk on the left and been told to f off, then that would at least represent a degree of provocation. Hope they catch the thug.

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elizabethbsln says...
6:20pm Fri 26 Oct 12

And if he was walking on the "wrong" (right) side, then it must have been clear for him to do so. The problem arises when people stand on the "wrong" side (left) preventing people from walking. If the right hand side is clear I often walk there, so that those who wish to move faster than I do, can get past me. Am I now to be in danger of being hit?

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Virtual-Monster says...
7:13pm Fri 26 Oct 12

There is no excuse to batter someone for using the wrong side of the stairs.

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j.j. says...
9:00pm Fri 26 Oct 12

which judge will believe that the neanderthal in the picture knows the left from right.

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MFC Lion says...
9:51am Mon 29 Oct 12

Virtual-Monster wrote:
There is no excuse to batter someone for using the wrong side of the stairs.
Thank you Captain Obvious.. Got any more bombshells for us?

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thecatwithnotail says...
11:52am Mon 19 Nov 12

elizabethbsln wrote:
And if he was walking on the "wrong" (right) side, then it must have been clear for him to do so. The problem arises when people stand on the "wrong" side (left) preventing people from walking. If the right hand side is clear I often walk there, so that those who wish to move faster than I do, can get past me. Am I now to be in danger of being hit?
Someone who can actually comprehend written English!

He was WALKING on the right, meaning the way MUST have been clear to do so. In fact, this is nearly always what I will do if the escalator is clear, so that if someone is moving faster than me, they can do so.

I'm a friend of the victim, and I've seen the results of what this maniac did and it's stomach-churning.

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Greentree says...
4:42pm Mon 19 Nov 12

why are most of these comments about which way the man was walking? What does it matter. I think everyone should be aware that not everyone is from London and familiar with the rules at first , even if he was walking with a donkey on a lead up the stairs the wrong way ,i'm sure being repeatedly in the face is not acceptable response.

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Greentree says...
4:43pm Mon 19 Nov 12

*punched repeatedly

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Outandabout says...
11:22pm Mon 19 Nov 12

My guess is the victim was black and it had nothing to do with stairs or anything else. While we are on the topic of the story, surely any attack is unprovoked, because of the fact it is an attack? Any attack is unprovoked, it smacks (pardon the pun) of the rationale of a wife beater, 'she made me do it'. ony the attacker is responsible every time.

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