Ilford teen admits killing commuter in Stratford station

A 17-year-old boy from Ilford has admitted killing a man in a rush hour attack at Stratford station.

John Francis Breen, 53, was found unconscious after the assault on October 27 last year.

Mr Breen was rushed to hospital but died from serious head injuries.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before the Old Bailey today and pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

A 15-year-old boy, also from Ilford, admitted assaulting the same victim causing him actual bodily harm during the attack.

Both youths had been charged with murder but prosecutor Mukul Chawla QC accepted the pleas after careful consideration.

The prosecutor told the court that the murder charge should lie on file.

He said that the evidence in the case came from “fractured and partial” eyewitness accounts and “patchy” CCTV footage.

The critical moments were captured on film but at a distance. Judge Mark Lucraft QC said he would adjourn sentencing.