A Nigerian woman jailed for assault and attempted theft in East London has been sentenced to nine months in prison after attacking a commuter on a Central Line train. Gloria Makanjuola, 35, from Cranbrook Road in Ilford, pleaded guilty to assault and attempted theft at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday 19 February 2026, following an investigation by British Transport Police (BTP).
The incident occurred on the night of Friday 3 March 2023, just before midnight, when the victim was traveling eastbound toward Hainault, quietly reading a newspaper. Makanjuola sat beside him and asked for money. What began as a verbal request escalated quickly into violence. According to the court, she rummaged through his coat pocket and removed his phone, demanding cash in exchange for its return. The victim attempted to retrieve the device, but Makanjuola continued her search and extracted his wallet, taking £60 in cash while dropping the phone.
The victim later reported that Makanjuola struck him across the body to secure the wallet. During the struggle, she bent his fingers backwards, forcing him to fight for his possessions. He managed to escape, running along the train and retrieving his phone, only to be tackled by Makanjuola near the train doors as it arrived at Hainault Underground station. After releasing him, she collected her belongings and left the station, leaving the victim assisted by staff and fellow passengers. His phone was later found to be smashed.
Police were quickly alerted. At approximately 1 a.m., a BTP officer at a nearby petrol station spotted a woman matching Makanjuola’s description. She was promptly identified and arrested in connection with the assault and theft.
Detective Sergeant Bronwyn Prew of BTP described the attack as “targeted and aggressive” and welcomed the custodial sentence. She emphasized the importance of safety on public transport, stating, “There is absolutely no place for violence, robbery, or theft on the railway, and we will continue to prosecute those who seek to use the network for criminal gain.” She encouraged the public to report incidents immediately by texting 61016, calling 0800 40 50 40, or notifying railway staff.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about passenger safety on London’s transport network. While the Central Line serves hundreds of thousands of commuters each day, isolated incidents of violence underscore the need for vigilance and rapid police intervention. The sentence serves as a reminder that aggressive behavior on public transport carries serious legal consequences and that victims have the right to seek justice.
