TFL WORKER DIES AFTER SINGLE PUNCH AT ILFORD STATION

A Transport for London worker, Jorge Ortega, died two days after being punched at Ilford station on the Elizabeth Line, Inner London Crown Court has heard. Prosecutors said the blow, allegedly thrown by Ayodele Jamgbadi, caused Mr Ortega to hit his head on the concrete platform, causing a severe traumatic brain injury. The incident happened in December 2024, and Jamgbadi, of Kingston Road, Ilford, was arrested the following day. Prosecutor Patrick Dennis told the court that Jamgbadi told police at the time: "I punched him in the face... are you going to nick me then?" Jamgbadi is accused of murder, but the jury has been told he was found unfit to plead.

Mr Ortega and two colleagues went onto the platform after hearing banging noises and found Jamgbadi kicking an advertising frame. Colleague Mohammed Alim said the man "seemed a bit disturbed, a bit angry" and asked "who's got a problem?" CCTV footage showed Jamgbadi initially walk away from the staff before turning back and advancing towards Mr Ortega, who backed away, Mr Dennis said. Mr Alim told the court that Jamgbadi then swung a punch with his right hand, striking Mr Ortega near the temple with what prosecutors described as significant force.

Judge Benedict Kelleher told the jury that Jamgbadi is unfit to plead, is mentally unwell, and remains in hospital. As a result, the case is being heard as a trial of the issue rather than a standard criminal trial, and the jury will not decide guilt. Instead, jurors must determine whether Jamgbadi threw the punch and whether it was a significant cause of Mr Ortega's death. The case continues at Inner London Crown Court.