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Train thug jailed for almost killing charity worker who simply said: 'Excuse me'
Last updated at 00:52am on 23.12.07
Thug: Crack addict Ebeneezer Adesina
Victim: Roger Hare
A crack addict who left a charity worker for dead had been freed early from prison weeks earlier after another violent attack.
Ebanezer Adesina was on licence when he ferociously attacked Roger Hare after the profoundly deaf grandfather asked him to move his legs so he could get off a train.
The 20-year-old was released early from a three-year jail term for robbing two men.
While in jail, he broke a fellow inmate's jaw and was sentenced to serve 15 months concurrently for the attack.
Adesina, who was unemployed, was on the same train as 61-year-old Mr Hare, who was returning home after an evening discussing charity events in London on February 20 this year.
As he stood up to leave the train at West Dulwich station in South London, Mr Hare politely asked Adesina to move his feet so he could pass by.
Adesina remained motionless and as Mr Hare brushed past him, he stood up, swore and started to punch his victim repeatedly.
Mr Hare was struck with such force that he landed head first on the platform, shattering his skull.
Witnesses described him hitting the ground "like a sack of potatoes".
Adesina then calmly stepped over his Mr Hare's unconscious body and walked out of the station, telling a passenger who shouted at him to stop: "What's the point? He's dead already."
Mr Hare spent a week in a coma on a life-support machine.
Yesterday Adesina, from Dagenham, East London, was sent to jail indefinitely at Southwark Crown Court for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
He was found guilty by a jury at an earlier hearing.
Judge Christopher Elwen ordered him to serve a minimum of six years, telling him: "The savagery of that attack can be inferred from the descriptions of the eyewitnesses, who spoke variously of big, powerful, swinging punches delivered like a professional boxer, of Mr Hare being used like a punchbag, and there being a barrage of fists."
The court heard that while Adesina was serving his three-year sentence for robbery in Feltham Young Offenders' Institute he viciously attacked another inmate.
Judge Elwen said: "That attack lasted 15 or 20 seconds and resulted in the person at the end of your fist suffering a broken jaw.
"I do therefore consider it would be reasonable to conclude there is a risk to the public of you committing further specified offences because of the sustained severity of the attack in the present case."
Reader views (5)
I would also link the recent item regarding the person sent to Broadmore re the attack on the bus.
I really think there needs to be a prison on an island somewhere where people like this can be sent with hard labour on a throw away the key basis for life, and by life I mean the only way out is in a coffin.
- Gerry, Chatham Kent, UK
No doubt, some liberal-lefty do gooder will recommend that this thug is released after a few months. Whoever recommended his release the first time should also be sent to prison indefinitely as they are obviously culpable in the crime.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
Is the general public, especially the elderly safe on our streets and the tube? I would say no, when we have mugs like Adesina loose on the streets. I hope he is put away for good.
- Surj1936, London, UK
Good riddance, hope that's the last see of him.
Still it would help if they stopped letting trash out of jail in the first place.
- Crm, London
Where was the police?!
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
