Footie thug pushed stranger onto Tube tracks ‘as revenge for Russians attacking England fans at Euro 2016’
Christopher Cole believed his victim was from Russia and attacked him in retaliation for fan violence at the summer tournament, the court was told
A FOOTIE thug pushed a stranger on to Tube tracks in revenge for Russian fans attacking England fans at Euro 2016.
Labourer Christopher Cole, 31, wrongly believed David Pietraszek was from Russia, the Old Bailey heard.
Cole shoved him off the platform as he waited for a train at Bond Street London Underground Station.
The victim said he could hear the train thundering towards him as he lay dazed on the tracks, but he managed to pull himself back up before it arrived.
Mr Pietraszak, who is from Poland, was treated for hand, leg and back injuries.
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The attack was caught on CCTV and Cole’s saliva was on the victim’s T-shirt.
Prosecutor Carly Loftus told a prior hearing: “Cole thought the victim was Russian and told police he did it because of how Russian fans had treated English fans at Euro 2016.”
She said Mr Pietraszek had put drunken Cole, who had 18 violence convictions, in a headlock on an earlier train when he abused passengers.
Cole, of Shepherd’s Bush, West London, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent yeterday. He was remanded in custody until his sentencing.