Teenager attacked former British ambassador to US 'after he called him a bastard’ on Tube platform

Boy spared jail after 'losing temper' during argument at London Victoria station

Former ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer was attacked at Victoria Tube station (PA)

A 16-year-old boy has been spared jail for attacking a former British ambassador to the US after he allegedly called him a “bastard” during an argument on a Tube platform.

The teenager lost his temper and pushed Sir Christopher Meyer to the floor at Victoria station during a row which erupted when they got in each other’s way at the train doors.

Sir Christopher was knocked unconscious and spent six days in hospital with “horrific” injuries, Uxbridge Youth Court heard on Thursday. He suffered a “severe” cut to his finger and wounds around his eye from his shattered glasses.

District judge Deborah Wright said: “The injuries in this case were quite clearly horrific. The assault has had a profound impact upon him both physically and emotionally.

“The victim has injuries which have left him with scarring. He does not know whether or not he will suffer permanent disfigurement.”

The boy, now aged 17, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

Ms Wright said the attack clearly passed the custody threshold, but the teenager’s good character and remorse meant she did not have to pass a custodial sentence.

The court heard a “verbal dispute” broke out on 11 July last year after Sir Christopher tried to get off the northbound train while the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was getting on.

Katie Weiss, prosecuting, said the ex-ambassador pushed past the teenager, calling him a “bastard”.

Witnesses heard the boy say “I’m not having this” as he got back off the train and pushed the 74-year-old in the back with both hands and “significant force”.

Ms Weiss told the court: “He fell to the platform and was knocked unconscious, sustaining a number of injuries.”

The teenager stayed at the scene until the police arrived, the court heard.

When questioned by officers he admitted pushing the former diplomat, who was the UK’s ambassador to the US between 1997 and 2003, and wanted to apologise to him.

In his victim statement read out in court, Sir Christopher said his injuries forced him to cancel a number of engagements and business meetings, including an appointment at the BBC about Donald Trump’s forthcoming visit to the UK.

He said the attack had been “deeply distressing” for him and had a “lasting emotional impact”.

Brad Lawlor, defending, told the court the boy had achieved good GCSE results and was keen to get back on track.

He added: “His version of events is that the complainant pushed past to get off before anyone else.

“He states he asked the man why did you do that, why did he push him, and that’s when he said ‘bastard’ or ‘f***ing bastard’.

“This was a momentary lapse of judgment by the defendant, clearly a loss of temper.

“He has shown himself to be an educated, driven young man keen to rehabilitate himself and make right his actions.”

Sentencing the teenager to a 12-month intensive refferal order, Ms Wright told him: “You have been very fortunate today.”

The boy, who lives in London, was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation.

Additional reporting by PA