England fan jailed for pushing man he thought was Russian in front of Tube

Christopher Cole attacked David Pietraskzek because he was angry about Russian football fans behaviour during Euro 2016

An England football thug has been jailed for 10 years for pushing a Polish builder on to live Tube tracks 34 seconds before a train arrived.

Christopher Cole, 32, was angry at Russian fans' behaviour during Euro 2016 and did not want England to be seen as "wusses", a court heard.

He got drunk and picked an argument with David Pietraskzek, 21, on a Central Line train after mistaking him as Russian on June 9 last year.

When they arrived at Bond Street Station, Cole followed him on to the Jubilee Line platform and shoved him on to the live rail.

The victim was badly bruised but managed to leap out of the way just seconds ahead of an oncoming train.

The whole incident was caught on graphic CCTV and showed a crowd of shocked travellers immediately step in to help the young victim.

Cole pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and appeared at the Old Bailey to be sentenced.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer said Cole had been drinking after work in the City earlier in the day.

The victim had been returning from work at a building site and had been sitting in a carriage wearing earphones when the trouble began.

When they got to Shepherd's Bush, the defendant appeared to be "shouting and behaving aggressively" towards other passengers and Mr Pietraskzek told him to calm down and go home.

In response, Cole adopted a boxer stance, forcing the victim to put him in a headlock as he continued to scream.

The court was shown CCTV of the pair making their way through the station, with Cole pretending to leave but then running down an ascending escalator to pursue the victim on to the platform.

Ms Heer said: "When Mr Pietraskzek turns away, the defendant follows him to the platform. While Mr Pietraskzek is waiting for a train, the defendant runs up to him, pushes him in the chest, causing him to fall back.

Christopher Cole was sentenced to 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm with intent (London Metropolitan Police)

"The voltage is sufficient to cause a fatal shock. He clearly touched the rail and falls against it.

"What saved him was his footwear because he had rubber soles.

"Mr Pietraskzek says he landed on the rail, felt electricity coming through his body, he could hear a train approaching.

"He had the presence of mind to get back on the platform as quickly as possible."

The victim was taken to hospital suffering from a fractured finger, cuts and serious bruises on his back which at first were thought to be burns.

Cole ran off but was arrested last July. He admitted the incident in police interview but said he only meant to cause embarrassment for his "bruised ego".

He said he had drunk wine and three pints of beer after work before boarding the London Underground.

He said he was annoyed at Mr Pietraskzek's attitude, acting as if he "owned the Tube".

Cole shoved Mr Pietraskzek onto the live tube tracks moments before the train arrived (London Metropolitan Police)

The defendant said he thought he was Russian and was upset about the Russian football fans in Euro 2016.

He said the English had a reputation for being "wusses" and went on to rant about the stabbing of someone wearing a poppy, the death of Fusilier Lee Rigby and the UK leaving the EU.

Cole, who has a string of convictions for violence, added that he "should not have tried to do the country's work".

In mitigation, Peter Spary disputed the prosecution claim it was racially motivated and said Cole attacked Mr Pietraskzek because his "manhood was dented".

PA