Tube killer jailed

A dancer who killed a father of four for accidentally treading on his son's foot has been jailed for just three years.

The "moment of madness" cost Vipula Prasanna, 40, his life and the dancer, Michael John-Charles his liberty.

John-Charles, 38, is also a singer-songwriter and has appeared on Top of the Pops, an Old Bailey court was told.

He was the first black student to go to the Royal College of Ballet, has danced with well known singers and appeared on commercials.

He was at Wembley Park Underground station, with his five-year-old son on May 26 this year, when Mr Prasanna accidentally stood on the boy's foot and knocked him.

"It was a trivial incident - the sort of accident which happens from time to time in public places like an Underground station," said Judge Giles Forrester.

"Instead of putting the matter to one side as any sensible person would have done, you lost your temper with this complete stranger," the judge told John-Charles.

"You swore at him and were aggressive and hostile and you threatened him. The victim was quite blameless. He went to apologise and touch the boy in a gesture of conciliation, but you took exception and struck him in the mouth."

Mr Prasanna fell back and his head hit the ground, fracturing his skull which caused his death.

John-Charles, from Greenford, Middlesex denied murder but admitted manslaughter which was accepted by the court.

"He totally over-reacted. It was one blow, not premeditated - a moment of madness," said his counsel Dee Connolly.

He had not realised the seriousness of the incident and left the scene. But after he saw a police billboard about the incident, he confessed to officers.
Jailing him, Judge Forrester said that "members of the public are entitled to travel on the Underground without being subjected to assault."