Man Jailed for Attempted Murder After Shoving Elderly Man onto London Tube Tracks
A man who pushed a 91-year-old onto the Underground tracks at Marble Arch and tried to shove another traveller onto the rails at Tottenham Court Road has finally been sentenced.
Brutal Attacks on London Tube
Paul Crossley, from Leyton High Road, East London, was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder after a dramatic five-day trial at the Old Bailey in October. The horrifying attacks occurred on April 27, 2018.
First, Crossley tried to push a 23-year-old man onto the tracks at Tottenham Court Road. CCTV showed the victim narrowly avoided falling thanks to quick help from fellow passengers.
Crossley then fled to Marble Arch station, where he shoved a 91-year-old man onto the tracks, causing severe injuries including multiple pelvic fractures and a head wound requiring twelve stitches.
Heroic Bystanders Save the Day
A courageous member of the public jumped onto the electrified tracks to rescue the elderly victim, suffering a burn in the process. Thanks to quick-thinking passengers, Crossley was held at the scene before being arrested by British Transport Police (BTP) officers.
In a chilling remark after his arrest, Crossley told officers, “I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
Life Sentence with Min 12 Years After Psychiatric Assessment
After months of psychiatric evaluation, the judge sentenced Crossley to a hospital order until he is fit for prison. Following this, he faces a life sentence with a minimum of 12 years behind bars.
The 91-year-old victim, who spent a week in hospital, described the lasting impact of the attack. In his victim statement, read in court, he said he has lost confidence and struggles more with daily life.
Police and TfL Praise Public Bravery
Detective Inspector Darren Gough said: “It’s been a long, traumatic process for the victims, and I commend their strength. The physical and emotional scars are profound. The bravery of the public who restrained Crossley was vital – without them, the outcome could have been far worse.”
Siwan Hayward, Director of Compliance at Transport for London, added: “We welcome this sentence for a truly shocking attack. Customer safety is our priority, and we back the strongest possible action against anyone who endangers our passengers.”
