Man Jailed for Brutal TfL Staff Attack at Harrow Station
Violent Assault on TfL Worker
A 23-year-old man has been locked up after launching a shocking unprovoked attack on a Transport for London (TfL) employee. Viorel Schiopu, from Lansdowne Road, Luton, pleaded guilty to Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), Actual Bodily Harm (ABH), and Affray at Inner London Crown Court on 22 June 2023.
Yesterday (13 December), the court handed him a hefty sentence of three and a half years in prison, plus an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting the victim or entering certain stations.
Attack Caught on CCTV at Harrow on the Hill
Shortly after midnight on 21 May, Schiopu approached a 61-year-old TfL staff member at Harrow on the Hill Underground station. After briefly speaking, Schiopu shoved past the barriers and threw food at the victim before storming off.
Moments later, CCTV shows Schiopu returning, talking with his back turned to the victim, then suddenly pivoting and landing a savage punch to the man’s head.
The blow sent the victim crashing to the floor unconscious. Another staff member heard the commotion and rushed over, while Schiopu calmly left the station about a minute later.
Victim Suffers Serious Injuries
The victim was rushed to a Major Trauma hospital, diagnosed with a bleed on the brain, a fractured skull, and multiple facial fractures. He stayed in hospital for 12 days and remains in slow recovery.
“To say the effects of the assault have been profound would be an understatement. It has changed everything, and my life is very different to what it used to be before….it feels like my freedom has been robbed from me,” the victim said in a statement.
Justice Served Swiftly
British Transport Police (BTP) swiftly released CCTV images of Schiopu, which circulated widely on social media. The offender surrendered to police the next day (22 May).
Detective Constable Tony Gittins condemned the attack: “This was a truly appalling and unprovoked attack on a member of staff simply trying to do their job. The victim continues to suffer severe physical and mental effects from that day.”
He added, “Every staff member should work without fear of violence. We take a zero-tolerance stance on such assaults and acted quickly to bring Schiopu to justice.”
Mandy McGregor, TfL’s Head of Policing and Community Safety, said: “Our staff have the right to do their job without fear or intimidation. We’re pleased justice has been served and will keep pushing for the toughest sentences to protect our people.”
