Homeless Man Jailed for Attempted Murder in Oxford Circus Train Incident

Brwa Shorsh, a 24-year-old homeless man, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of eight years after being found guilty of attempted murder. The conviction follows a violent incident at Oxford Circus station on February 3, where Shorsh pushed a postman onto the tracks towards an oncoming train.

The victim, Tadeusz Potoczek, aged 60 at the time, narrowly avoided serious injury by managing to stay upright and with the help of a passerby, climbed back onto the platform moments before a Victoria Line train arrived. According to the prosecution, Potoczek was extremely fortunate not to have come into contact with the live rail.

Mr. Justice Kelleher, the presiding judge at Inner London Crown Court, described the act as one that “would strike fear into every traveller on the Underground,” emphasizing the danger posed by Shorsh’s unprovoked aggression. Shorsh was apprehended later that evening at Warren Street station, after initially evading police.

Shorsh reportedly admitted during a police interview that he attacked Potoczek because he believed the postman had given him a “dirty look.” Additionally, Shorsh testified that he was angered by some women he thought were laughing at him on a previous train. Throughout the trial, Shorsh’s mental state and history of violence were examined, highlighting a pattern of offending behavior towards those he perceived as challenging him.

Maxine Jarrousse-Jones, a senior prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), stated, “Brwa Shorsh attempted to kill the victim by deliberately and forcefully pushing him into the path of an approaching train.” She praised the victim’s quick-thinking and the actions of the passerby who intervened, as well as the train driver who managed to halt the train in time.

Shorsh’s legal troubles began shortly after his arrival in the United Kingdom in 2018. Initially housed in Yorkshire, he moved to London and started engaging in criminal activities, including assault and racially aggravated offenses. These past actions led the judge to consider Shorsh a “high risk of serious physical harm to members of the public” and warranted the severe sentence.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Painter expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, noting that Shorsh’s removal from public spaces provides some relief and closure to the victim and ensures the safety of commuters. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety on London’s transport network and the effectiveness of legal measures in addressing violent acts against the public.