THE TEENAGER accused of throwing a young boy from a viewing platform at the Tate Modern art gallery in London last summer has pled guilty to attempted murder.
Jonty Bravery, 18, entered his plea during a hearing at the Old Bailey in the English capital this Friday, December 6.
Bravery has been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing, which is set to take place at a later, as yet unspecified, date.
The 18-year-old was arrested after throwing a six-year-old child from the 10th floor of the gallery on Sunday, August 4.
Commenting on the case, CPS prosecutor Emma Jones told the Press Association:
"This devastating and shocking incident at the Tate Modern on 4 August of this year changed the lives of Bravery's young victim and his family forever.
"The boy was singled out by Bravery, who threw him from the viewing platform intending to kill him.
"That he survived the five-storey fall was extraordinary.
"Eye witness accounts and CCTV footage, along with Bravery's admissions at the time of the arrest that his actions were pre-planned, meant he had little choice but to accept responsibility for his actions.
"There will be no trial as a result, and the boy's family are spared having to relive this traumatic experience in court.
"This was a terrifying experience for the boy's parents and our thoughts are very much with them all at this difficult time. We hope he makes as full a recovery as possible."
Image: GettyThe identity of the victim is being protected from the press, with reports simply describing the child as a “French boy”.
According to a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds towards the boy’s medical care back in October, the boy is “making progress” but remains in a serious condition with a raft of injuries including a spinal fracture.
A statement issued on the page by the child’s family said: "our little boy doesn't know anymore how to speak, to eat or to move his body".
Despite this the boy is now able to move his tongue as well as his right arm and hand.
His family said: "We see his efforts. We believe with all our heart that he will find the way, from his head, to do everything again.
"He is very brave. He keeps on smiling and reacting to our jokes.
"We begin to see also, unfortunately, his suffering.
"Actually, he understands everything, but doesn't understand why he cannot manage to eat or swallow a little bit of yoghurt for instance... and he wants so much to be able to do it.
"We want to tell you that we don't have the choice: we have to be strong for our little boy.
"First because he keeps on smiling and making progress bravely, and secondly because we see that you count on us to take care of him.
"And we sincerely thank you for that. We will do everything to keep strong and take care of him. We promise."
