Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Man pushed commuter under Tube train, court hears

Despite the driver applying the brakes, the commuter was still hit

Jack Hardy
Saturday 04 November 2017 12:29 GMT

A 29-year-old has appeared in court accused of attempting to murder a man by pushing him into the path of a Tube train.

The alleged victim, aged in his 50s, was seriously injured when the westbound District Line train ran over him at Bayswater Underground Station in central London on Thursday.

Alan Alencar is alleged to have approached the man from behind and shoved him in the back with both hands as the vehicle pulled into the platform at around 5pm.

Despite the driver applying the brakes, the commuter was still hit.

He managed to crawl out from underneath the carriage and was taken to hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

The defendant, of Northcote Street, Edinburgh, is alleged to have walked away after pushing the man.

During a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Alencar, who appeared in a grey tracksuit, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

He indicated through his defence counsel that he intended to plead not guilty to the offence.

District Judge Tan Ikram said there had been no bail application and ordered Alencar to appear at Blackfriars Crown Court on December 1.

Press Association

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in