A man went on a “motiveless” 35-minute “spree of violence” against strangers on the London Underground, including pushing a passenger on to the rails, a court has heard.
Donovan Kenlyn “chased and punched” passenger Samer Jawad at Baker Street station in October 2022, a jury at the Old Bailey was told.
Minutes later the 39-year-old got off a train at Finchley Road station and “propelled” Angel Cambeiro on to the rails – narrowly missing the ones that were live.
He then travelled to West Hampstead station where he struck a third man, Peter Acton.
None of the three men knew the defendant.
Kenlyn has accepted he was involved in all three incidents but has denied the charges because he was suffering with schizophrenia.
Judge Philip Katz KC said: “The physical actions aren’t in dispute, this is a case where you will be considering mental health, at least.”
Prosecutor Michael Williams said: “On the morning of Thursday 27 October 2022, the defendant Donovan Kenlyn undertook a spree of violence against members of the public on the London Underground.”
He said the spree lasted 35 minutes and was “without any known motive”.
Mr Williams said: “It is accepted on behalf of the defendant that he was the man who punched Mr Jawad, who caused Mr Cambeiro to fall on to the tracks, and who struck Mr Acton.”
In a witness statement read to the court, Mr Jawad described how the defendant began talking “aggressively” to him.
He said Kenlyn accused of him of “saying something” including “did you say black?” and the complainant fled down the platform.
Mr Jawad added: “At some point while I was being chased I said ‘I didn’t say anything, I didn’t say anything’.”
CCTV footage played to the court showed Mr Jawad on the floor and Kenlyn hitting him.
Mr Williams said Mr Cambeiro spotted Kenlyn “looking aggressive” and walking towards him along the platform with a clenched fist.
The defendant raised his fist and the next thing Mr Cambeiro knew he was on the tracks with a dislocated and broken elbow, the prosecutor added.
Minutes later at West Hampstead station, Kenlyn ran into a carriage after Mr Acton and struck him, causing him to fall on to the seat dividers and fracture his ribs.
Kenlyn is charged with attempted murder and assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Cambeiro, of assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Mr Acton and assault by beating against Mr Jawad.
The trial continues.
Source Agencies
