Martin Thorpe who threw passenger onto Tube line jailed

Published: 21 October, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

A MAN who threw a passenger onto the tracks at King's Cross tube station has been jailed for three years.

Martin Thorpe, 45 of Hillcrest, Highgate grabbed the 23-year-old man by the throat on a busy Circle Line platform – throwing him onto the tracks after taking offence to the way he brushed into him when he stepped off the train.

He then hurled abuse at the victim until he was able to pull himself off the tracks, Blackfriars Crown Court heard.

Mr Thorpe pleaded guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent following the incident in April.

Speaking after last Thursday's sentencing hearing, Detective Constable Martin Wilson from the British Transport Police said: “This was a shocking act of violence which was unprovoked and put somebody’s life at serious risk. The victim was very lucky to escape uninjured as he fell near to electrified rail.”

He added: “If he had been injured in the fall he may not have been able to pull himself from the track. Thorpe was arrested at the scene by a British Transport police officer patrolling at the station. 

“Incidents like this are very rare on the Tube. This was a very dangerous act and I welcome the jail sentence handed to Thorpe.”