Man jailed for pushing stranger on to live tube tracks at Oxford Circus

A man who pushed a postman on to London Underground live tracks has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of eight years. 

Brwa Shorsh, 24, was sentenced today (Thursday, 10 October 2024) at Inner London Crown Court after he was previously found guilty of attempted murder.

Shorsh pushed a total stranger off a platform at Oxford Circus Tube Station, on 3 February 2024, and into the path of an oncoming Victoria Line train.

The 60-year-old victim was on his way home from work and had walked past Shorsh who was sitting on a bench, when without a word, explanation, or provocation, Shorsh leapt up and shoved him off the platform and onto the live train tracks. 

The victim managed to stay on his feet and a passerby helped him to climb back up onto the platform just as a train pulled into the station. The judge awarded the passerby £1,000 after commending his bravery and quick reaction. 

The police attended quickly, but before they could arrive, Shorsh had run off.

He was arrested that same day and during his police interview, he admitted that he had pushed the victim onto the track because ‘he had given him a dirty look’ which made him angry.

Maxine Jarrousse-Jones, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Brwa Shorsh attempted to kill the victim by deliberately and forcefully pushing him into the path of an approaching train.

“He intended to harm the victim and it is impossible to imagine anything that could ever justify pushing anyone in front of a train like that.

“If not for the victim’s quick-thinking, the courage of the other passenger who came to his rescue and the speed at which the train driver brought the train to a halt, Shorsh’s actions could have cost the victim his life.  

“Commuters should be able to travel freely without fear of violence or harm and I hope this sentencing is a reminder that such acts will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted as fully as the law allows.”