Detectives in the hunt for the ‘Putney Pusher’ have hit another dead end more than nine years after a woman was thrown into the path of a bus by a mystery jogger.
The millionaire suspect was arrested in the investigation after new information from his ex-partner. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A and Class B drugs at his west London home thought to be cocaine and cannabis.
He was released on bail but detectives have said he has since been released under investigation while ‘outstanding enquiries are being completed’.
The 44-year-old reportedly has ties to several European royal families and works as a director at a private bank after serving with the British Army.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘On Monday, June 15, a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm.
‘The arrest relates to an incident on May 5, 2017, where a woman was pushed into the path of a bus on Putney Bridge in Putney.
‘Once in police custody, he was also arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A and Class B drugs. He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.’
Putney Pusher timeline
May 5, 2017
7.40am
A jogger wearing grey pushes a woman onto the road on Putney Bridge. A double-decker bus on the road managed to swerve at the last minute, saving her life.
7.55am
The jogger comes back, ignoring the victim as she attempts to confront him about the attack. He disappears from the scene.
August 2017
Police release CCTV footage of the incident for the first time and start making arrests, including a banker from Chelsea who was found to be on holiday in California at the time.
June 2018
After a massive manhunt, including the investigation of 50 people of interest, the Metropolitan Police closed their investigation, with no suspects ever charged.
April 2024
A play about the Putney Pusher sparks conversation around the case again. The play, called Once Upon a Bridge, was performed at the OSO Arts center in Barnes, south west London.
June 15, 2026
A suspect is arrested and charged with attempted grievous bodily harm.
September 6, 2026
Suspect released under investigation.
CCTV footage of the assault on Putney Bridge in west London prompted shock and anger across the country nine years ago.
The 33-year-old woman narrowly avoided being hit by the bus when the driver, Oliver Salbris, managed to quickly swerve out of her way.
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Salbris told the Sunday Times in 2017: ‘If I hadn’t swerved, I would have smashed her head.’
He added: ‘It was reflex. The consequences would have been terrible for her – and for me.
‘If she had died I would have had to live with a weight on my shoulders for the rest of my life.’