Northwood man who injured two people with crossbow sentenced

Andrew Ramdeen, 30, of Green Lane, Northwood, was considered “dangerous” after committing two crossbow attacks and appearing at Isleworth Crown Court.

On August 2020, a man, 19, was walking along The Greenway in Uxbridge at around 10.25pm when a crossbow bolt sliced through his ear as it passed his head, striking a parked minicab.

The owner of the car that was hit took the victim to hospital after realising he was injured, but the injury was not life-threatening.

One victim was injured when a bolt went past his ear. Credit: Met Police

In September that year, a man, 33, was walking in Pield Heath Road in Hillingdon, when he was shot in the torso with a crossbow.

He suffered a ruptured aortic artery and punctured internal organs, losing five litres of blood.

As the attack happened near to Hillingdon Hospitial, he was quickly taken to hospital for treatment.

The bolt that was found. Credit: Met Police

Officers investigating the attack traced a company delivery vehicle to Ramdeen, who was arrested by armed officers while driving.

A crossbow with bolts that matched with the recent attacks was found at his home during a search, but a motivation behind the attacks was never fully established.

One of the crossbow bolts found. Credit: Met Police

He was admitted two counts of causing grievous bodily harm and was told had a hospital order not been an option, he would have been sentenced to prison for 14 years and nine months.

Andrew Ramdeen. Credit: Met Police

Detective Inspector Daniel McInerney said: "It's no exaggeration to say that, in both instances, the difference between life and death was a matter of millimetres.

"It's pure good fortune the second victim was so close to a hospital. Doctors and nurses saved this man's life.

“The overwhelming evidence we presented left Ramdeen with no choice but to plead guilty to these horrendous attacks.”