Family pay tribute to grandfather-of-five Tube worker, 61, punched to death by passenger who missed his train as attacker is locked up in psychiatric hospital

The family of an Elizabeth Line worker punched to death by an irate Tube passenger said they will remember him 'for the life he lived, not for the way he was taken from us'.Grandfather-of-five Jorge Ortega, 61, was killed with a single punch to the face after Ayodele Jamgbadi, 30, became frustrated after missing his train. The 'devoted' family man fell backwards after being hit and cracking his head on the concrete platform at Ilford Station, in December 2024. Jamgbadi was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm, but that was upgraded to murder following Mr Ortega's death.The 30-year-old, of Ilford, was deemed unfit to stand trial due to significant mental health issues, with a Trial of Facts instead determining Jamgbadi had thrown the fatal punch. He will now be detained in a psychiatric hospital.After court proceedings ended, Mr Ortega's family paid tribute to the 'wonderful' and hardworking grandfather, who was also a talented artist.They said in a statement: '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. 'We want Jorge to be remembered for the life he lived, not for the way he was taken from us. He was a loving husband, a devoted father and a wonderful grandfather. The family of Elizabeth Line worker Jorge Ortega, 61, said they will remember him 'for the life he lived, not for the way he was taken from us' The 'devoted' family man fell and hit his head on the concrete platform after he was punched by Tube passenger Ayodele Jamgbadi, 30, in December 2024 Mr Ortega's family paid tribute to the 'wonderful' grandfather, who was also a talented artist'He was hardworking, kind, generous, caring, funny, wise and incredibly talented. He had a gift for art and drawing, and his creativity and attention to detail were a special part of who he was. 'The artwork he created is something we proudly display in our homes, and it will always be a part of him that we can hold on to. 'For his wife, Jorge was not only her husband, but her best friend and the person she shared more than 38 years of her life with. The life they built together, the memories they made and the love they shared will always remain a part of our family. 'He also left behind five grandchildren who adored their Grandad. They loved the time they spent with him — whether it was going for walks in the forest with the dogs, going to soft play, or simply playing together at home. '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. 'We will tell them about his kindness, his humour, his talents, his wisdom and, most importantly, how deeply he loved his family. 'We are deeply grateful to everyone who has stood beside our family during what has been the darkest period of our lives. 'Nothing can bring Jorge back to us, and we will always carry the pain of his absence. But we will also carry his memory, his love and everything he gave to us. 'His legacy lives on in his family, in the lives he touched, in the artwork he created and in the memories we will continue to share. 'We will remember Jorge for the life he lived, the people he loved and the happiness he brought to those around him.'He will always be loved. He will always be remembered.' Inner London Crown Court heard how Jamgbadi had begun kicking an advertisement frame after he missed a train from Ilford Station to Stratford, at 8.45pm on 4 December, 2024.Mr Ortega and two other TfL employees had intervened and tried to calm Jamgbadi down, but the grandfather was knocked out with a powerful punch.He was rushed to hospital, but died from a severe brain injury two days later.Judge Benedict Kelleher told the Inner London Crown Court jury that Jamgbadi was not fit to enter a plea, and they therefore had to determine whether he did the act.'He is unfit to plead which means that he is not mentally well enough to stand trial and he is in hospital for that reason,' said the judge.The jury deliberated for just 30 minutes before finding he did the act alleged, namely punching the TfL worker, which caused him to fall and hit his head, and subsequently killed him.Judge Kelleher told jurors: 'Jamgbadi will be detained in hospital until some further time.'Today the court imposed a Hospital Order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983 together with a Restriction Order under Section 41. Jamgbadi will remain detained in hospital for treatment 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. The restriction order is intended to ensure both appropriate treatment and the protection of the public.Mr Ortega was on duty at the time of the incident, said prosecutor Patrick Dennis.'The defendant arrived at the railway station. CCTV shows that he missed the train heading into London to Stratford.'After he missed the train the defendant effectively kicked an advert frame.'As a result Mr Ortega and two other staff members came out of the office and they effectively tried to calm Mr Jamgbadi down.'As Mr Ortega retreated backward the defendant punched him once in the face and that caused Mr Ortega to fall onto the platform and strike his head and that rendered him unconscious.'The defendant displayed aggressive behaviour.'An ambulance arrived and Mr Ortega was taken to hospital.'On 6 December, 48 hours after the incident, he tragically died,' said Mr Dennis.Mr Ortega's co-worker, Mohammed Alim, said the man 'seemed a bit disturbed, a bit angry and just said "Who's got a problem?".Mr Alim told the court 'within a split second' he swung a punch at Ortega using his right hand striking the victim's temple area.'It struck Jorge near the temple area. The impact of the punch was with so much force that I saw something fly out of his mouth.'He was floored. He hit the back of his head.'Mr Ortega's co-workers and members of the public carried him into an office where he was falling in and out of consciousness.The court heard there was a 19.5cm long fracture along the back of Mr Ortega's skull caused by the fall.Jamgbadi then pushed through the barriers without paying in order to leave the station.Following his arrest 14 hours after the incident, Jamgbadi told British Transport Police officers: 'I punched him in the face, I literally punched him in the face. What are you going to do about it, are you going to nick me?'Mr Ortega was a member of the RMT union and worked as a customer experience assistant for MTREL, which runs the Elizabeth line.RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch expressed his condolences to Mr Ortega's family after the attack. Then Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer posted on X that the incident was 'absolutely tragic'.At an earlier hearing Jamgbadi was heard rambling incoherently before the judge came into court and murmuring 'let me go home, let me go home'.He was also heard to say, 'I don't like it here'.Jamgbadi also asked, 'why are you doing this' before mumbling 'it was just one punch'.At the conclusion of court proceedings, BTP Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell paid tribute to the 'dignity, strength and courage shown by Mr Ortega's family following his untimely loss.'He said: 'I recognise that their grief has been compounded by the length of time it has taken to reach this stage. 'I am grateful for the patience, support and understanding they have demonstrated throughout the investigation and the proceedings that have followed.'Mr Ortega was a kind and hardworking man who was carrying out his duties as usual that evening, when he became the victim of a wholly unacceptable act of violence.'Nobody should be subjected to abuse, intimidation or violence whilst travelling or working on the rail network. 'Protecting the public and rail staff remains a priority for the British Transport Police, and we are committed to relentlessly pursuing offenders and bringing them to justice.' Ayodele Jamgbadi, 30, will be detained in a psychiatric hospital after he was deemed unfit to stand trial. Pictured: Forensic officers at the scene in December 2024 Mr Ortega and two other TfL employees had tried to calm Jamgbadi down, but the grandfather was knocked out with a powerful punch The station was cordoned off following the shocking incident in December 2024Chris Fowler, managing director of GTS, which operates the Elizabeth line, said: 'Jorge was a much loved and respected colleague, and his loss continues to be deeply felt by everyone who knew and worked alongside him.'Today, our thoughts are first and foremost with Jorge's family and with his friends and colleagues. They have shown enormous strength throughout what has been an incredibly difficult and painful period.'Jorge lost his life simply doing his job, looking out for others and serving the people of London. 'We will continue to remember him for the colleague and person he was, and to support those closest to him.'Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, added: 'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the family, friends and colleagues of Jorge Ortega, who tragically died after being assaulted while at work. '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. 'The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is paramount, and we have fully supported the British Transport Police with their investigation.'