James Flanagan, 35 (30.10.80) of Marsden Street, NW5 was arrested and charged on the same day of the attack which occurred outside the station in Cambridge Heath Road on Friday, 6 November 2015 shortly before 01:00hrs.
Enquiries by detectives from Tower Hamlets established that the victim, a 36-year-old man, had been punched repeatedly by Flanagan, who deceived the victim by offering to shake his hand before resuming the attack. The victim struck his head on the pavement and suffered serious head injuries as a result.
Flanagan appeared before Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 7 November where he pleaded guilty to GBH.
He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (Friday, 5 February).
Investigating officer PC Angus Handley from Tower Hamlets said: “This was a despicable and unprovoked attack, aggravated by the cowardly deception employed by Flanagan to take the victim off guard.
“Flanagan’s actions have caused irreparable damage to the victim’s life. He now faces a long road to recovery. This attack has had a devastating impact on the victim’s friends and family. I can only hope today’s sentence serves as some small comfort to them.”
A second man, aged 22, awaits trial after being charged with common assault, obstructing an emergency worker and a public order offence towards paramedics while they were treating the victim at the scene. He will appear at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 11 May.
