Sisters accuse Met Police of negligence after Putney pusher suspect dies

The sisters of Nicholas Brandram, a man suspected of being the so-called “Putney pusher,” have accused the Metropolitan Police of “negligence” and “recklessness” in its handling of the case. Brandram took his own life after months of immense pressure stemming from the investigation into a 2017 incident on Putney Bridge, where a woman was pushed into the path of a bus.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Alexia Hicks and Sophie Volker stated that their brother was innocent and had suffered deteriorating mental health due to the ongoing scrutiny. They expressed confusion over the police’s prioritization of rapid arrest and press coverage over helping to clear his name while he was reading negative online content that still labeled him guilty.

Brandram, a 44-year-old banker, was arrested in June on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm but was released under investigation last week. He was found dead in his home on Tuesday evening, with police confirming the death is treated as unexpected but not suspicious. The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the strain that police investigations can place on individuals and confirmed a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. They noted that the investigation into the 2017 incident remains ongoing.

The sisters criticized the decision to formally suspect Brandram, arguing he did not match the profile of the attacker. They highlighted discrepancies such as his blue eyes, contrasting with the victim’s description of brown-eyed assailant, and a withered leg from a past army injury. Additionally, they pointed out a prominent military tattoo on his forearm that would have been visible during the attack, unlike the runner’s attire described.

Furthermore, the family asserted they provided evidence placing Brandram at his Bond Street office at the time of the incident, given his residence in Notting Hill and lack of connection to Putney. They described the allegation as either malicious or mistaken. The sisters also revealed that Brandram had willingly provided a DNA sample two months prior in hopes of eliminating himself from inquiries but never received the test results.

Payings tribute to their brother, Hicks and Volker described him as a warm, enthusiastic, and charming gentleman, emphasizing his role as a beloved family man. They concluded that the police failed in their duty of care to him, his family, and society, noting that the actual perpetrator remains at large.