New footage has emerged showing the moment a sofa thrown from a balcony at Westfield in Stratford narrowly missed shoppers below. The incident, which occurred on March 1 last year, was captured on surveillance video and has gone viral on social media.
Details of the Incident
The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, picked up the seat from the shopping centre's second floor and hurled it over the balcony before running away. His 15-year-old friend filmed the act. The video, captioned 'no way bro almost killed someone,' quickly spread online.
Newly released surveillance footage shows a group of three shoppers who had just walked past the spot where the chair landed. They turned around in shock after it crashed to the ground. Other witnesses can be seen jumping and freezing in fear before walking in a different direction.
Legal Consequences
Both teenagers were arrested soon after the incident. The 15-year-old was handed a 12-month referral order and a £426 fine by Stratford Youth Court on May 20. He admitted criminal damage and recklessly causing a public nuisance. The 16-year-old, who threw the chair, pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to an eight-month Detention and Training Order along with a £41 fine on September 24, 2025.
The case highlights the serious consequences of reckless behavior in public spaces. The quick response from security and police ensured that those responsible were held accountable.
