A jury has found that Ayodele Jamgbadi, 30, of Kingston Road, Ilford, punched Elizabeth Line station assistant Jorge Ortega in the face at Ilford railway station, contributing to his death. The assault occurred after Jamgbadi missed a train on the Elizabeth line route heading to London Stratford.
Fatal assault at Ilford station
Mr Ortega, 61, who worked for Transport for London (TfL), had been trying to calm Jamgbadi when he was punched and fell, hitting his head on the concrete platform. The court heard he may have been rendered unconscious before hitting the ground. British Transport Police (BTP) officers were called to Ilford station at around 8.50pm on December 4, 2024. Mr Ortega was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
According to prosecutor Patrick Dennis, Mr Ortega died of a “severe traumatic brain injury” two days later, surrounded by his family in hospital. Jamgbadi, accused of murder, is unfit to plead and mentally unwell, currently detained in hospital. The jury was asked to decide whether he punched Mr Ortega and whether the punch was “a significant cause of Jorge Ortega’s death”. They found that Jamgbadi fatally assaulted Mr Ortega.
Family tribute to a devoted grandfather
In a statement shared by BTP, Mr Ortega’s family said: “We miss Jorge every single day. As a family, we wish he were here to see everything that has happened since he left us, and to share in the moments, both big and small, that we wish we could have experienced together.” They described him as “a loving husband, a devoted father and a wonderful grandfather”, hardworking, kind, generous, caring, funny, wise, and talented, with a gift for art and drawing.
His wife shared more than 38 years with him, and he left five grandchildren who adored him. The family said: “It breaks our hearts that they will have to grow up without him there to make new memories with them. But we will make sure they grow up knowing who their Grandad was, rather than simply knowing that he was taken away from us.”
Court order and response
On Wednesday, September 16, the court imposed a Hospital Order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983, alongside a Restriction Order under Section 41. Jamgbadi will remain detained in hospital and cannot be discharged, transferred, or granted leave without the approval of the Secretary of State for Justice or a direction of the Mental Health Tribunal.
BTP Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell said: “I would like to pay tribute to the dignity, strength and courage shown by Mr Ortega's family following his untimely loss. Nobody should be subjected to abuse, intimidation or violence whilst travelling or working on the rail network.” Chris Fowler, Managing Director of GTS, which operates the Elizabeth line, said Mr Ortega was “a much loved and respected colleague”, adding: “Jorge lost his life simply doing his job, looking out for others and serving the people of London.” London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, said: “Everyone should be able to go about their day without fear or intimidation and it is unimaginable that someone could lose their life due to unprovoked violence while doing their job.”
