Tate teen, 18, GUILTY of attempted murder after hurling boy, 6, off 10th floor because he ‘wanted to be on TV news’
A TEENAGER has admitted hurling a six-year-old boy 100ft from the tenth floor of the Tate Modern so he could be on the news.
Jonty Bravery, 18, left the youngster with a broken back, fractures to his limbs and a bleed on the brain after hurling him from a viewing platform on August 4.
He then approached a member of staff, explaining: "I think I've murdered someone, I've just thrown someone off the balcony."
When Bravery, from Ealing, West London, was arrested he told police he had travelled to the London gallery with the intention of hurting someone so he could be on the TV news that evening.
He said: "I wanted to be on the news, who I am and why I did it, so when it is official no-one can say anything else."
Bravery then said he heard voices tell him he had to hurt or kill people and wanted to prove a point "to every idiot" who said he didn't have mental health issues.
Appearing via video link from Broadmoor Hospital at the Old Bailey today, Bravery could be seen closing his eyes and speaking under his breath during the hearing.
The victim, who was visiting the UK from France, was forced to spend two months in intensive care and left unable to speak or eat after the horror attack on August 4.
His French mum and dad dubbed their son their “little knight” as they revealed previously he could only smile to communicate.
But recent improvements to his condition mean he can go outside in a wheelchair and show love for them by giving them kisses.
Defending, Philippa McAntasney QC said Bravery was on the autistic spectrum and is likely to have a personality disorder.
She said: "Your lordship will know from that report he has been in Broadmoor Hospital since mid October this year.
"Dr Cumming has recommended that a report be set.
"The report states that the defendant had autistic spectrum disorder which is an enduring condition and also has obsessive compulsive disorder and is very likely that he has a personality disorder."
Bravery, who was able to be identified after he turned 18 two days ago, will be sentenced on February 17 next year.
Judge Andrew Edis said: "The reason it is not happened today is because there is a need for further assessments by your treating doctor Dr Dow."
Bravery is understood to have slipped away from two carers when the horror attack took place.
Witnesses speaking at the time said he had followed families around with his hands behind his back before pouncing on the young boy as his mum's back was turned.
The distraught mother screamed 'My son, my son' and tried to climb over the 10th floor railing to get to his aid.
BOY'S CONDITION 'IMPROVING'
Writing on a GoFundMe page - which has raised £120,000 for the boy's treatment - last month, his parents said: "We would like to share with you some good news of our little knight.
“He is making lots of progresses. We can now bring him outside in a wheelchair to breath fresh air.
“It's tiring for him but he really likes it, of course. He's very smiling and he laughs a lot again.
“He begins to move his legs since a few days, just a tiny little bit but it is really wonderful to see...! And just since today, he manages to make real kisses. It warms our hearts so much...
“Thank you all of you. We hope we will give you other good news as soon as possible.”
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.
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"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.
"Eye witness 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."
