A fit and active 73-year-old remains in a ‘vegetat

A fit and active 73-year-old remains in a ‘vegetative’ state in hospital after being sent sprawling down a tube station escalator, a jury heard today (Mon).

Peter Birch was knocked unconscious by the blow but suffered a fracture to his skull and other facial bones and brain damage in his fall – the escalator ripping parallel strips out of his skin.

London’s Southwark Crown Court heard the haymaker was delivered by 24-year-old Michael Worrell – who later claimed he was acting in self-defence after being struck in the chest.

Worrell, a post room worker, of (243) Reede Road, Dagenham, Essex, denies
inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Birch on September 17, last year.

Ken Millett, prosecuting, said: ‘The Crown do not say he intended to cause the harm actually caused but the defendant is liable for the consequences of his actions.

‘

The barrister alleged the attack at Piccadilly Underground Station was not
self-defence because as the defendant later admitted he punched Mr Birch ‘in
retaliation’ for ‘all the antagonism.

‘

Mr Millett said: ‘The prosecution say the law dos not allow you to get your own back and punch someone to teach them a lesson, or in retaliation.

‘

The jury heard both men had barged into each other, Mr Birch being seen hitting Worrell in the chest – resulting in the defendant punching Mr Birch ‘hard’ on the chin.

‘This led to Mr Birch falling onto and down the escalator, suffering very
serious injuries from which he is unlikely to make any recovery,’ said counsel.

‘He is currently in a vegetative state as a result of this incident and unable to provide a statement at all and remains in a very confused state.

‘The only thing he talks about now, he was a fairly active man before, is the Second World War – that is all anyone can get out of him.

‘

The court heard Worrell left the station only pausing to give brief details to staff and ignoring shocked passengers pleas they thought he had killed his victim.

Traced by police to his home, the defendant admitted he hit out in retaliation.

‘He agreed he punched Mr Birch in the face or on the chin area and knew as
soon as he hit him he had knocked him out.

‘

But the defendant claimed he had no idea the victim’s injuries were so severe and claimed he left the scene because he was on a short lunch break and had to go and pay a ‘phone bill.

Mr Millett said: ‘It is one of those unfortunate incidents that is all too
common these days, where people are not as polite as they may be in public
places.

‘

The trial continues.

ends