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Orpington scaffolder jailed for London Bridge attack on Bexleyheath men (From News Shopper)
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Orpington scaffolder jailed for London Bridge attack on Bexleyheath men
3:35pm Monday 21st January 2013 in Crime By Heloise Wood
Jailed scaffolder Robert McSweeney
A SCAFFOLDER from Orpington has been jailed for 16 months after a vicious attack on a father and son as they tried to buy snacks at a station.
Robert McSweeney was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court on January 16 after pleading guilty to causing actual bodily harm (ABH) following an investigation from British Transport Police (BTP).
The court heard how McSweeney, of Poverest Road, had violently attacked the men on March 31 last year at around 9pm, as they attempted to buy crisps from the vending machine he was leaning on in London Bridge rail station.
Unprovoked, he repeatedly punched a 48-year-old father from Bexleyheath, who had recently undergone major surgery on his back, knocking him unconscious.
The victim had his front teeth knocked out and was also left with a deep facial cut that required stitches.
His 19-year-old son, also from Bexleyheath, received cuts and bruises to his face after he had tried to protect him.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Rachel Smith from BTP’s CID said: “McSweeney, who had been out drinking all day, had become violent and refused to move when the two men tried to access the vending machine on platform five.
“He punched the father to the ground, knocking him out cold. His son stepped in to shield his father from McSweeney’s continuing blows.”
The court heard how the 35-year-old scaffolder continued the violence even when the man’s son pleaded with him to stop due to his father’s recent surgery.
Police were called and McSweeney was arrested at the scene. During his interview he told officers he acted in self-defence.
DC Smith continued: “From viewing very clear CCTV footage of the attack, it is apparent that at no stage did either victim assault McSweeney in retaliation or defence.
“When shown a clip of the attack, he admitted it was not self-defence and could not explain why he acted as he did.
“This was cold and unprovoked violence on two men who were simply trying to buy snacks and I hope the sentence handed to McSweeney deters others from acting in this way. “
Comments(75)
Gypo.Joe
says...
11:41am Tue 22 Jan 13
iloveshoes
says...
5:50pm Tue 22 Jan 13
But he's a strong intelligent hard working family man and he'll get through this.
cookster
says...
6:25pm Tue 22 Jan 13
#thuglife
matt 2285
says...
7:09pm Tue 22 Jan 13
Gypo.Joe
says...
8:51pm Tue 22 Jan 13
Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Mike Honcho
says...
12:06pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Tip-Top
says...
12:44pm Wed 23 Jan 13
And for the record, scaffolders I know get upset when they don't to moisturise their hands on a regular basis…tut
.
Mike Honcho
says...
2:37pm Wed 23 Jan 13
FairyLulu
says...
3:18pm Wed 23 Jan 13
iamnotbatman
says...
3:37pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Tip-Top
says...
3:40pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Also "DC Smith continued: From viewing very clear CCTV footage of the attack, it is apparent that at no stage did either victim assault McSweeney in retaliation or defence".......are you suggesting that either the police or NS are selecting certain bits of information to the public? (in that they seem to missed out the original confrontation you have alluded too?
the wall
says...
4:11pm Wed 23 Jan 13
I have lost friends who have been on the receiving end of violence.
I work with someone who lost there son to one punch in the head from a drunk. He went to sleep that night with his girl friend and never woke up.
The bloke who killed him didn't know why he punch him and only served 2 years.
Mike Honcho
says...
4:43pm Wed 23 Jan 13
Gypo.Joe
says...
5:47pm Wed 23 Jan 13
CPFC1905
says...
6:57pm Wed 23 Jan 13
ODDS-ON!
jaded1
says...
8:46pm Wed 23 Jan 13
To be fair this one seems to be a bit better educated than most of the chavtastic supporters we get on here.
Guess who ;) AGAIN !
says...
9:50pm Wed 23 Jan 13
They fell on his fists.
Good To Go
says...
10:15am Thu 24 Jan 13
LOL
Lodger
says...
1:58pm Thu 24 Jan 13
PaulErith
says...
2:07pm Thu 24 Jan 13
iloveshoes wrote:Utter scum
Happen to know this guy,sorry to see they only print one side of the story. But he's a strong intelligent hard working family man and he'll get through this.
reasonable75
says...
4:55pm Thu 24 Jan 13
iloveshoes wrote:Perhaps you could enlighten us as to the other side of the story?
Happen to know this guy,sorry to see they only print one side of the story. But he's a strong intelligent hard working family man and he'll get through this.
They committed the henious crime of trying to use a vending machine he was leaning on - so is that provocation?
He claimed self defence, but then he "admitted it was not self-defence and could not explain why he acted as he did."
Gypo.Joe
says...
7:57pm Thu 24 Jan 13
The truth hurt does it ?
Marty1979
says...
9:04pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Like elsewhere a question has been posed for his family/friends - but I doubt we will ever get an answer
GiantDawg
says...
9:23pm Thu 24 Jan 13
Gypo.Joe
says...
10:32pm Thu 24 Jan 13
You're all fed up, we the general public are more than fed up with drunken violent scum on our streets.
You lot can just suck it up.
pamela8
says...
10:32pm Thu 24 Jan 13
...reminds me of this daft woman in my street..In short a neighbour knocked on her door and politely asked if she could ask her partner to please stop parking across his drive...The thick moo said...I don,t like your attitude mate!!!! amazing.! Just like iloveshoes although a much more serious reaction....Strange.
..stick to loving shoes..The violent thug will pay ...and I hope the father and son will eventually be able to put this nasty incident behind them and continue to go out together in the future..
Oldchap
says...
10:42pm Thu 24 Jan 13
iloveshoes wrote:he'll get through it?
Happen to know this guy,sorry to see they only print one side of the story.
But he's a strong intelligent hard working family man and he'll get through this.
How about the victims - any sympathy for them?
reasonable75
says...
9:49am Fri 25 Jan 13
GiantDawg wrote:iloveshoes said NS had only printed one side of the story, so I asked if she could enlighten us (ie what's the other side of the story)
You know what, as a friend, I suspect we are all pretty fed up of derogatory comments being posted which cause upset and are hurtful to those who care about him most and to which will not affect him as he can't even see them! He's serving his time, all you are doing is upsetting family members in order to guage a reaction. It's unnecessary.
Surely that's a perfectly reasonable request - it's not insulting or derogatory, just want to know & perhaps get a more balanced view
the wall
says...
9:55am Fri 25 Jan 13
GiantDawg wrote:No I don't know 'what'..... Who are they ?
You know what, as a friend, I suspect we are all pretty fed up of derogatory comments being posted which cause upset and are hurtful to those who care about him most and to which will not affect him as he can't even see them! He's serving his time, all you are doing is upsetting family members in order to guage a reaction. It's unnecessary.
we are all pretty fed up..... Not as fed up as I'm with drunks punching people and family defending them.
of derogatory comments being posted which cause upset and are hurtful....... If they are not true then they will not hurt. By these are peoples opinions and this is the comment section. Don't read it if you don't like it.
upsetting family members in order to guage a reaction......Really
! No one is forcing them to read it. But I imagine that some of the family are enjoying the fame/infamy.
It's unnecessary........ So is punching people,
Tip-Top
says...
10:00am Fri 25 Jan 13
If family members or friends are miffed at the above comments, then may I suggest you contact the NS and ask them to print/publish all the correct details of the incident.
Gypo.Joe
says...
10:33am Fri 25 Jan 13
Wot abaht 'is previous I ask.
Tip-Top
says...
10:48am Fri 25 Jan 13
I was merely speaking to the people who know the defendant etc.
From what I can gather from the article is that this chap was leaning against this vending machine. The other two needed a munch and asked/told him to shift it….he took offence and laid into one and then the other…..did the other two mouth off initially?? Or as someone posted above (fairylulu?) that he was “pushed” around the platform and then reacted??? Only the CCTV, and the people involved know.
From what has been published the chap has admitted to the charge and it wasn’t self defence. He probably is a nice enough bloke on a day to day basis, but simply can’t handle his drink (on this occasion anyway) and reacted in a violent manner, which is totally unacceptable.
Gypo.Joe
says...
11:03am Fri 25 Jan 13
What make me smile is these morons cant get through their dumb skulls that almost all public places have some sort of CCTV now. That's why this clown had to plead guilty.
Tip-Top
says...
11:14am Fri 25 Jan 13
Drink affects people in different ways, especially how much one consumes, so let us hope he will learn from his mistake.
Does he have previous for this sort of behaviour?? I await for the local plod to pop on and provide us with the required details ;o)
Gypo.Joe
says...
11:31am Fri 25 Jan 13
Tip-Top
says...
11:42am Fri 25 Jan 13
Gypo.Joe
says...
11:51am Fri 25 Jan 13
As my old gypsie Mum says "sh1t always floats to the surface boi."
Inspirationalady28
says...
12:48pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Crying
says...
1:17pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Mike Honcho
says...
2:08pm Fri 25 Jan 13
About time he grew up now then too.
RICHARD DOLAN
says...
2:19pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Crying
says...
2:24pm Fri 25 Jan 13
And so it goes on.
Tip-Top
says...
2:27pm Fri 25 Jan 13
“There were only two punches thrown and the victim did not lose consiousness at any time, which is confirmed on medical records”….Only two? Sounds like you’re trying to dilute the facts of the incident. I believe the NS obtained most of the above from the BTP website, so as you say, you’d better contact the BTP requesting them to state the correct facts.
With regards to the comments being made and as someone has already alluded too, I suggest you don’t read them as this is a public website specifically for leaving comments on articles published in the NS…..you could speak with NS and ask them to remove it of course.
RICHARD DOLAN
says...
5:08pm Fri 25 Jan 13
reasonable75
says...
5:10pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Crying wrote:he report in News Shopper is based on the FACTS as given to the court
Robert McSweeney's Directorship has been stripped, by me. I am his wife. He can no longer be a Company Director so the business has been passed into other hands in the hope that I can keep it afloat and pay my mortgage. My husband is wholly remorseful for his actions on this terrible night. I have seen the CCTV and I have seen the father of the two victims push my husband away from the vending machine and towards the edge of the platform, this is when my husband hit him. There were only two punches thrown and the victim did not lose consiousness at any time, which is confirmed on medical records. I will contact BTP regarding this matter. This does not excuse what my husband did as he retalliated with far more force than neccessary and that is why he pleaded guilty. He does not have any other previous convictions as an adult. We offered in court to compensate the victims wholly but due to my husband being given an immediate sentence, and thus affecting the business we are now financially insecure and will probably lose our house. As a family this is a truly horrnedous time and one for which my husband deeply regrets not only his actions that night but also for the vast consequences on so many people's lives. I hang my head in shame every time I leave my house and I wish I wasn't here any more. I beg you all please may these comments stop.
You say 2 punches, yet report "he repeatedly punched"
As mentioned by Tip-Top, the reports (and CCTV) say there was the assailant and 2 victims, yet you suggest there was someone else - "the father of the 2 victims". So 4 people
Why does the report say "knocking him unconscious" but you say "the victim did not lose consiousness". So which is correct? Especially as a police officer stated "“He punched the father to the ground, knocking him out cold. His son stepped in to shield his father from McSweeney’s continuing blows.” And this also infers there were more than 2 punches
You have ignored "The victim had his front teeth knocked out and was also left with a deep facial cut that required stitches" and "His 19-year-old son, also from Bexleyheath, received cuts and bruises to his face after he had tried to protect him" Did this not happen?
If you are suggesting that the evidence given was false, then you have ground for appeal and I await reports of this with baited breath
Please don't demand that NS removes these comments, they are not abusive or defamotary - I am simply quoting form the statements quoted
RICHARD DOLAN
says...
5:10pm Fri 25 Jan 13
franksutton
says...
5:55pm Fri 25 Jan 13
So presumably he has convictions as a youth?
Inspirationalady28
says...
6:01pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Inspirationalady28
says...
6:06pm Fri 25 Jan 13
franksutton wrote:A conviction is where you're found guilty..what's not to say (as an adult),he's done this kind of thing before but has got away with it (not caught)?
He does not have any other previous convictions as an adult
So presumably he has convictions as a youth?
Oldchap
says...
6:23pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Inspirationalady28 wrote:But father of 2 victims plus assailant = 4 ????
When #crying is saying that cctv footage showed the Father of the two victims pushing her husband towards the end of the platform I am presuming she means the 48 year old victim?
Inspirationalady28
says...
6:39pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Oldchap wrote:That's the confusing part..I thought that one of the victims was a 48 year old man and the other his 19 year old son. So if there is a Father of the 2 victims, that would obviously mean that this person would be a person over the age of 60 with 48/19 year old sons?
Inspirationalady28 wrote:But father of 2 victims plus assailant = 4 ????
When #crying is saying that cctv footage showed the Father of the two victims pushing her husband towards the end of the platform I am presuming she means the 48 year old victim?
Gypo.Joe
says...
8:59pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Whats new though !!
jaded1
says...
9:14pm Fri 25 Jan 13
People that do these stupid things often do not think of the long-term damage they cause not only to the victims obviously but to their families as well.
Simon bald
says...
7:36am Sat 26 Jan 13
Marty1979
says...
12:29pm Sat 26 Jan 13
All the evidence appears to have 3 people involved - 2 victims & Mr McSweeney. Yet it is now claimed there was a 4th (but not shown on CCTV)
Mrs McSweeney has claimed the other 2 (or is it 3) people pushed her husband towards the edge of the platform - presumably to try & back up his original claim of self defence.
She also claims there were only 2 punches thrown - totally different to the evidence. Sorry but that shown on CCTV was of a vicious sustained assault. Not in this story, but easy to check - other witnesses in court testified to the foul mouthed abuse and threats Mr McSweeney was making whilst carrying out the assault
We are expected to believe this is the first time he has ever committed a crime? Sorry, I just don't believe it. There is no reason a normal person would react in this way.
Family offered to compensate the victims - perhaps similar to another case where the assailaint was trying to "buy" a reduced sentence
Yes his directorship has been stripped, but not through action of his wife - rather by the law of the land
Following other comments - just like to point out a police caution does not count as a conviction.
reasonable75
says...
1:29pm Sat 26 Jan 13
reasonable75
says...
1:55pm Sat 26 Jan 13
jaded1 wrote:So who has made threats, sworn or used chav slang?
A decent plea from the wife,no swearing,no threats,no chav slang.Well done.
People that do these stupid things often do not think of the long-term damage they cause not only to the victims obviously but to their families as well.
jaded1
says...
3:58pm Sat 26 Jan 13
reasonable75 wrote:Hello Reasonable 75,if you are a regular reader of the NS website you would find that when a criminal gets sentenced often his relatives and mates get on here to defend him/her.The blog soon descends into threats and general Jeremy Kyke type behaviour from the criminals supporters.My point is that the scaffolders wife sounds very reasonable.
jaded1 wrote:So who has made threats, sworn or used chav slang?
A decent plea from the wife,no swearing,no threats,no chav slang.Well done.
People that do these stupid things often do not think of the long-term damage they cause not only to the victims obviously but to their families as well.
pamela8
says...
4:55pm Sat 26 Jan 13
nearly right all the time
says...
10:47pm Sat 26 Jan 13
"door"
Big Hard Man!
****! go throw your weight about
in the Barge Pole Thamesmead!
see how tough he is then!
pamela8
says...
1:47am Sun 27 Jan 13
anony246
says...
12:16pm Sun 27 Jan 13
And I'm going to point out an obvious error that you all seem to be hooked on.. that when Mrs Mcsweeney was referring to the mysterious '3rd person' involved it was clearly a typo on her part as she meant to refer to the oldest of the 2 men (the father) are you not able to read between the lines? Why this is important anyway I don't know. What the hell does it matter, are you suddenly all judge and jury? If you lot can make damming statements about this case then she is allowed to respond since he cannot. She's not defending what he did as he was clearly in the wrong and he will pay the price for more than long enough in my opinion.
The more I read your cutting comment 'Simon bald' the more it disgusts me. If you have a wife I feel really sorry for her right now.
cheryl123
says...
1:47pm Sun 27 Jan 13
Simon bald
says...
2:43pm Sun 27 Jan 13
anony246 wrote:defending the thug and his family rather than the poor victim and his family is what makes this country such a cess pit
Nearly right all the time, bob downdiss and Simon bald... I find your comments very offensive and unecessary. Comment all you like on the facts of the case and the behaviour of the man, express your dislike for him all you like. However, do not start making snide comments towards his wife who is, as others have pointed out also, another victim in this scenario. Especially Simon bald's last comment...I think that is disgusting. His wife is going through enough heartache at the moment without getting pointless abuse from a complete stranger who frankly is demonstrating 'Neanderthal' behaviour through mental bullying. Your comment has offended ME so much... what do you think it would do to her?You have no right whatsoever to make observations or comments on anyone's marriage... You went way below the belt!
And I'm going to point out an obvious error that you all seem to be hooked on.. that when Mrs Mcsweeney was referring to the mysterious '3rd person' involved it was clearly a typo on her part as she meant to refer to the oldest of the 2 men (the father) are you not able to read between the lines? Why this is important anyway I don't know. What the hell does it matter, are you suddenly all judge and jury? If you lot can make damming statements about this case then she is allowed to respond since he cannot. She's not defending what he did as he was clearly in the wrong and he will pay the price for more than long enough in my opinion.
The more I read your cutting comment 'Simon bald' the more it disgusts me. If you have a wife I feel really sorry for her right now.
anony246
says...
2:46pm Sun 27 Jan 13
Bob Downondiss
says...
3:15pm Sun 27 Jan 13
anony246 wrote:Tell her not to read it then. ( or you )
Nothing I said is defending him. I am standing up for his wife who doesnt deserve to take the abuse on his behalf. If it was me I'd expect others to do the same
Pretty simple really ..just like Bob Mc.
reasonable75
says...
5:13pm Sun 27 Jan 13
Mrs McSweeney claimed we only heard one side of the story - she has the opportunity to put her husband's side. Essentially she has inferred that the police & other lied (not sure how she can say the CCTV is wrong)
Comments are in general directed at the person convicted of a crime in a court of law. If his family / friends feel the conviction was wrong because (as alleged) BTP presented something incorrectly then surely his legal team should have challenged it in court?
Bettyboop92
says...
5:53pm Sun 27 Jan 13
anony246 wrote:tell me where i have abused the wife? then come back with something
Nothing I said is defending him. I am standing up for his wife who doesnt deserve to take the abuse on his behalf. If it was me I'd expect others to do the same
Simon bald
says...
6:41pm Sun 27 Jan 13
Bettyboop92 wrote:who is this? no one even mentioned you!
anony246 wrote:tell me where i have abused the wife? then come back with something
Nothing I said is defending him. I am standing up for his wife who doesnt deserve to take the abuse on his behalf. If it was me I'd expect others to do the same
Inspirationalady28
says...
7:37pm Sun 27 Jan 13
anony246 wrote:I understood that she was referring to the Father of the victims as you can see by my previous comment here.
Nearly right all the time, bob downdiss and Simon bald... I find your comments very offensive and unecessary. Comment all you like on the facts of the case and the behaviour of the man, express your dislike for him all you like. However, do not start making snide comments towards his wife who is, as others have pointed out also, another victim in this scenario. Especially Simon bald's last comment...I think that is disgusting. His wife is going through enough heartache at the moment without getting pointless abuse from a complete stranger who frankly is demonstrating 'Neanderthal' behaviour through mental bullying. Your comment has offended ME so much... what do you think it would do to her?You have no right whatsoever to make observations or comments on anyone's marriage... You went way below the belt!
And I'm going to point out an obvious error that you all seem to be hooked on.. that when Mrs Mcsweeney was referring to the mysterious '3rd person' involved it was clearly a typo on her part as she meant to refer to the oldest of the 2 men (the father) are you not able to read between the lines? Why this is important anyway I don't know. What the hell does it matter, are you suddenly all judge and jury? If you lot can make damming statements about this case then she is allowed to respond since he cannot. She's not defending what he did as he was clearly in the wrong and he will pay the price for more than long enough in my opinion.
The more I read your cutting comment 'Simon bald' the more it disgusts me. If you have a wife I feel really sorry for her right now.
Inspirationalady28 says...
6:01pm Fri 25 Jan 13
When #crying is saying that cctv footage showed the Father of the two victims pushing her husband towards the end of the platform I am presuming she means the 48 year old victim?
Gypo.Joe
says...
11:52am Mon 28 Jan 13
franksutton
says...
3:42pm Mon 28 Jan 13
He got drunk
He beat up 2 (or 3) people
He claimed self defence
CCTV showed him doing it, so he changed his plea
He got found guilty
He's been sent to prison for 16 months
He'll probably be out by Christmas
His wife & family are suffering the consequences of his actions
Have I got anything wrong?
Tip-Top
says...
3:53pm Mon 28 Jan 13
franksutton wrote:You got all of it wrong. In true NS style, the offence was committed by a fox!
As I read it He got drunk He beat up 2 (or 3) people He claimed self defence CCTV showed him doing it, so he changed his plea He got found guilty He's been sent to prison for 16 months He'll probably be out by Christmas His wife & family are suffering the consequences of his actions Have I got anything wrong?
reasonable75
says...
6:00pm Mon 28 Jan 13
the wall says...
10:36am Tue 22 Jan 13