Jonty Bravery: Teenager who threw boy from 10th floor of Tate Modern admits attempted murder
Eighteen-year-old remanded in custody ahead of sentencing
A teenager who threw a six-year-old boy from a 10th-floor viewing platform at the Tate Modern in London has admitted his attempted murder.
Jonty Bravery, 18, entered his plea during a short hearing at the Old Bailey in London on Friday.
He was remanded in custody by the judge, Recorder of London Nicholas Hilliard QC, ahead of his sentencing hearing at a later date.
The victim, who cannot be named because of his age, continues to recover slowly in his native France after spending months in intensive care.
Writing on a GoFundMe page last month, which has raised around £130,000 for his medical treatment, the boy’s family said he was “now able to venture outside” and had regained some movement in his legs.
Bravery, of west London, was arrested moments after the incident on the 10th-storey balcony of the tourist attraction four months ago.
Commenting on the case, CPS prosecutor Emma Jones said: “This devastating and shocking incident at the Tate Modern on 4 August of this year changed the lives of Bravery’s young victim and his family forever.
“The boy was singled out by Bravery, who threw him from the viewing platform intending to kill him.
“That he survived the five-storey fall was extraordinary.
“Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage, along with Bravery’s admissions at the time of the arrest that his actions were pre-planned, meant he had little choice but to accept responsibility for his actions.
“There will be no trial as a result, and the boy’s family are spared having to relive this traumatic experience in court.
“This was a terrifying experience for the boy’s parents and our thoughts are very much with them all at this difficult time. We hope he makes as full a recovery as possible.”
Press Association