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Crime

20th May 2022

Shocking CCTV shows panic on tube as machete attacker leaves passenger with life-changing injuries

Steve Hopkins

Ricky Morgan has been convicted of attempted murder for the Jubilee line attack

Shocking CCTV footage has been released showing terrified commuters reacting to a passenger waving around a machete on the tube in central London in an attack that left one victim with life-changing injuries.

The video was released Friday by British Transport Police (BTP) after Ricky Morgan was found guilty of attempted murder for the attack, which took place on a Jubilee line train, near Greene Park.

The incident, on a Friday night, shortly before 7pm on 9 July 2021, left his victim with life-changing injuries. In a statement the victim, James Porritt, said the attack had “changed my family, my girlfriend’s, and my life forever”.

The 34-year-old hacked the businessman, who was a total stranger, leaving him with part of his hand hanging off that he had to hold together himself, Metro reported. Porritt managed to escape to another carriage.

Other passengers fled down the train, with some falling to the ground in the rush to get away from Morgan.

Morgan, of no fixed abode, told police he had targeted his victim specifically – and did not intend to injure other members of the public – but the pair did not know each other.

“From witness accounts, a reviewing of the CCTV footage and Morgan’s own account, it became clear that Morgan targeted the man specifically, and did not have an intention to attack or injure other members of the public,” BTS said in a statement Friday.

While prone on the ground being handcuffed, with the machete and another knife seized, Morgan shouted to officers, “It’s not a [expletive] terrorist attack, I had a beef with someone”. He added: “It’s not a terrorist attack, I didn’t realise I [had] done it in a tunnel.”

Morgan was charged with attempted murder and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and was convicted at the Old Bailey. He will be sentenced in the coming weeks.

Detective Sergeant Nick Thompson, of BTP, said Morgan’s attack was “brutal and unprovoked”.

“The two men had never spoken, never met, and had never crossed paths until that day,” he said.

“Clearly, it was terrifying situation for the victim, he was able to escape but this attack and the injuries he suffered continues to have a substantial impact on his life.”

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