“Wake-up call”: Man spared jail after assaulting woman, burgling pub and missing drug assessment

A man who assaulted a 64-year-old woman outside Victoria Station has been handed a suspended jail term after magistrates heard he is now engaging with addiction and mental health support services.

Michael Carey, 36, of Great Peter’s Street, appeared before presiding justice Ms Larissa Jean Keown JP, Sir Matthew Pinsent JP and Mr Rakesh Shah JP at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. He faced sentencing for assault, burglary, and failing to attend a mandatory drug assessment.

Mr. Carey confirmed his details before a CPS solicitor and his barristers, James Biedea and Benjamin Waller, outlined the case.

Carey approached assault victim, Linda Volti, 64, at approximately 5.45 pm at London’s Victoria Station on June 25th. After Volti ignored Carey, he spat at her and, when she attempted to leave, grabbed her shoulder and shouted abuse. The complainant, crying, sought help from a police officer. Carey was arrested at the scene and immediately pleaded guilty.

Prosecutors described the incident as a category A1 assault, noting the intention to cause harm, persistence of assault, and the victim’s vulnerability. The charge was aggravated by Carey’s extensive record, including eight previous assault convictions and two for battery.

Carey also faced sentencing for a January 26th burglary charge, where he smashed the window of a Greene King pub and took a bottle of liquor. The prosecution valued damages at £5100.

The offence was placed in category B2 due to the perceived planning, moderate damage inflicted, and Carey’s 12 prior theft convictions. However, the pub manager told police he could not see anything had been stolen, and the venue was fully insured.

The third matter concerned his failure to attend a class A drug assessment on October 9th. The authorities verbally informed Carey about this assessment in June and later sent a written notice. However, the defence said he was unaware, and hostel staff, who were present in court, confirmed they had received no correspondence.

The defence told magistrates Carey’s behaviour stemmed from long-term substance misuse, adding he had been sober since May 2018 but relapsed after his mother’s death in January 2025. Carey was under the influence of heroin during the burglary and in a “poor state of mind”, believing he was searching for his late mother.

Since January, he has been living at King George’s V Hostel and receiving on-site psychological support for addiction. He was described as “respectful and polite to staff” and engaged with Turning Point UK, a social enterprise supporting people with substance use issues. He is medicated for mental health issues and has since attended all court and probation appointments.

He was convicted of a class A1 assault against Ms Volti, receiving 24 weeks in prison that were reduced to 16 weeks due to his early guilty plea. However, the term was suspended for 18 months in recognition of his recent progress. He must comply with regular probation meetings, engage in 30 days of drug rehabilitation, and observe an electronic curfew from 9pm to 6am for six months.

Carey was ordered to pay £120 in compensation to Ms Volti, at a rate of £10 a month due to his limited means. No separate sentence was imposed for the burglary or drug assessment evasion.

Carey thanked the magistrates, telling the court the experience had been a “wake-up call” and he was committed to change.