Eastend Family Feud Frightens Commuters

Shocked early-morning commuters got caught up in a family feud, when an angry Plaistow man attacked his estranged stepfather with a bunch of keys, on the platform of West Ham Underground Station.

The 50 year-old victim was rushed to casualty with what were initially feared life-threatening puncture injuries to his neck and head after the chance meeting on the Jubilee Line platform (pictured).

Stevie Ryan, 29, of Victoria Road, pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to wounding John Prior, causing him grievous bodily harm, on March 3.

Prosecutor Miss Rebecca Foulkes told the court a troubled family history left bad blood between the defendant and his step-dad, which spilled over when Ryan spotted him while traveling to work at Canary Wharf.

“As the train came into the platform Mr. Prior says he felt an ‘almighty thud’ to the side of his head and felt close to losing consciousness.

“There was some grappling and Ryan dropped a bunch of keys which he picked up and continued to lash out at Mr. Prior with the keys in his hand.

“Ryan continued to hit Mr. Prior who had blood coming out of his head and neck,” added Miss Foulkes, explaining startled commuters attempted to pull the pair apart.

The victim was rushed to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel. “His injuries were deemed life threatening.”

Doctors discovered a puncture wound to Mr. Prior’s neck and back, plus lacerations to the back of his head.

Ryan’s lawyer Mr. Jeremy Jones told the court: “Mr. Prior was a man he saw as his father and role model.

“This was a chance meeting and he could not resist the opportunity to inflict violence on Mr. Prior who he had not seen for four years.”

Sentencing Ryan to eight months imprisonment, suspended for a year, Judge Robert Fraser told him: “You were driven by considerable ill-feeling.

“You clearly lost control, put him in a headlock and punched him around the head. The majority of the wounds were caused by the keys that were in your fist.”

He also ordered Ryan to complete 240 hours unpaid community service work, remain under probation supervision for twelve months and obey a year-long prohibition order not to contact Mr. Prior.