A teenager has been jailed for more than five years after repeatedly stabbing a man in broad daylight at Barnes station in front of horrified morning commuters.
The 17-year-old from Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Friday 12 December after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm. He received five years in prison with an additional three years and four months on extended licence.
The attack happened on 26 September at around 7am, just outside the entrance to platform one. The teenager, who was 16 at the time, was seen on CCTV talking to the victim before the pair walked together into a wooded area outside the station.
Shortly afterwards, the victim, a man in his 20s, ran back towards the station shouting that he had been stabbed. The teenager followed him, pushed him to the ground, and stabbed him several more times. He then collected his bike from the platform and fled the scene.
The victim suffered four stab wounds and multiple internal injuries. His condition was initially described as life-threatening and London’s Air Ambulance was dispatched to the scene. He required lifesaving surgery but has since been discharged from hospital.
DNA match
British Transport Police detectives identified the attacker through CCTV footage showing him returning home after the incident. A pair of headphones found at the scene contained DNA matching the teenager, leading officers to arrest him at his home address on 4 October.
Detective Sergeant Marc Farmer said the teenager “acted with horrific levels of violence in a sustained and frenzied attack” launched “in broad daylight in front of horrified morning commuters”.
He added: “It is only by sheer luck that we weren’t dealing with a murder investigation, so I’m very satisfied to see him now put behind bars for an extended period of time thanks to our investigation.
“There is absolutely no place for violence on the railway network, especially not the sort of mindless violence this teenager carried out.”
The teenager was initially charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon when he appeared at Highbury Magistrates’ Court. He later pleaded guilty to GBH.
Anyone who witnesses concerning behaviour on the railway can text British Transport Police discreetly on 61016.
