Sam Mensah, Upper East Side’s Infamous Stroller-Wielding Serial Attacker, Sentenced to Five Years in State Prison

Sam Mensah, the infamous serial attacker who became notorious for assaulting people while pushing a stroller–sometimes with his 2-year-old son in tow–was sentenced Thursday in New York Supreme Court.

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Mensah, who was arrested for multiple assaults perpetrated on unsuspecting New Yorkers in September 2023, faced the music when a judge handed down his sentence of five years in state prison. Mensah previously pleaded guilty to one count of Assault in the Second Degree, with a promised sentence of five years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision, according to the Manhattan D.A.’s office. He also got 364 days for a second indictment to run concurrently.

For Laurence Warshaw, a 69-year-old-Upper East Sider who fell victim to one of Mensah’s brutal attacks in December 2022, this offered at least some closure. Warshaw was knocked unconscious at an 86th Street newsstand in a random attack by Mensah. Warshaw attended the sentencing because he wanted to see it with his own eyes. Warshaw previously detailed that he was supposed to testify at Mensah’s trial, only to find out that Mensah took a plea.

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Warshaw told us that at about 2:30 p.m., a handcuffed Mensah was called to address the judge and admitted to a prior violent felony charge from 2011 for burglary, for which he served a two-year prison sentence. “Mensah asked to be placed in a prison near his son who is in ACS custody,” explained Warshaw.

Warshaw, an attorney, feels justice has been served. Likewise, a victim myself, I am happy that our original story led to broad media coverage, a Crimestoppers alert and Mensah’s ultimate arrest.

“I can live with the sentence and am gratified that the child has a chance at normalcy in his most formative five years rather than growing up and being used as an accessory to felony assault,” said Warshaw. “The NYPD was fabulous in their handling of the matter. Thanks to them, a one-man crime wave is behind bars again.”

Warshaw added, “I hope the women who were victims from his other assaults involved in the second indictment are doing well.”

“Today, Sam Mensah is being held accountable for his unprovoked attacks,” said District Attorney Bragg. “New Yorkers should be safe while walking through the streets of Manhattan. I hope today’s sentencing gives the victims a sense of closure as they continue to heal from the assaults.”