Kurdish Migrant Convicted of Attempted Murder in Oxford Circus Train Push Incident
August 1, 2024Brwa Shorsh, a 24-year-old Kurdish migrant, was convicted of attempted murder for pushing Tadeusz Potoczek onto the tracks at Oxford Circus Underground station in London on February 3.
Potoczek, a 61-year-old postman, was attacked while looking at an arrivals board as he hurried to catch a flight.
The incident occurred just moments before a train arrived, with Potoczek narrowly avoiding the live rail and being saved by another passenger.
The train driver, Bobby Walker, activated the emergency brake just seconds before the train would have hit Potoczek, expressing relief that he managed to stop in time.
The prosecution characterized the incident as a random act of violence against an innocent victim, highlighting the shocking nature of the attack.
Shorsh admitted that his actions were 'scary' but denied intending to kill Potoczek, expressing regret for the incident.
The prosecution argued that pushing someone in front of a train indicates intent to kill, despite Shorsh's claims of acting out of anger.
Shorsh claimed during police questioning that he pushed Potoczek because he felt he had received a 'dirty look' and was motivated by anger after feeling disrespected.
The jury took only 32 minutes to reach their verdict at Inner London Crown Court, where Mr. Justice Kelleher indicated that a lengthy prison sentence would follow.
Shorsh's sentencing is scheduled for September 26, and he has been remanded in custody until then.
Shorsh's defense attorney described him as a homeless refugee without access to mental health services, attempting to contextualize his actions.
Summary based on 10 sources
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Sources
The Guardian • Jul 31, 2024
Man who shoved tube passenger on to tracks guilty of attempted murderThe Independent • Jul 30, 2024
Man accused of pushing postman on Tube tracks did not intend to kill, trial toldThe Independent • Jul 31, 2024
Moment homeless man pushes postman onto Tube tracks caught on CCTVThe Independent • Jul 29, 2024
Man ‘pushed in front of Tube train by stranger who thought he gave dirty look’