Trial begins of alleged subway salesman accused of attempted murder

An alleged Tube worker has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after he went on a “spree of violence” against strangers on the London Underground.

On a Thursday morning at Baker Street subway station, Donovan Kenlyn, 39, “chased and punched” subway passenger Samer Jawad.

Minutes later, Kenlyn got off a train at Finchley Road station and 'propelled' Angel Cambeiro onto the tracks, narrowly missing those under tension.

He then drove to nearby West Hampstead station, where he punched a third complainant, Peter Acton.

None of the three men knew the defendant.

Kenlyn admits he was involved in all three incidents but denies the accusations because he suffered from schizophrenia.

Judge Philip Katz KC told the jury: “The physical actions are not in dispute, this is a case where you will at least consider mental health.”

Opening the trial at the Old Bailey on Thursday, prosecutor Michael Williams said: “On the morning of Thursday 27 October 2022, the defendant Donovan Kenlyn engaged in a wave of violence against members of the public on the London Underground.

He said the party lasted 35 minutes and was “without any known motive.”

He said: “It is accepted on behalf of the accused that it was he who hit Mr Jawad, who knocked Mr Cambeiro onto the tracks and who hit Mr Acton. »

Shortly after 10am, Kenlyn boarded the Central Line at Hanger Lane tube station in west London – the closest stop to his home at the time.

An hour and 20 minutes later he was seen on CCTV in Baker Street wearing a bobble hat and dark clothing.

Mr Jawad was visiting London and was on his way to the station to meet a friend at nearby Regent's Park.

When he went to leave the Bakerloo Line train, he “felt a presence to his left” and saw Kenlyn who had not been on board until then, Mr Williams said.

The prosecutor said Kenlyn was “furious” and began throwing “aggressive insults at him for no reason,” accusing him of “saying something,” including “did you say black?”

The complainant ran off the platform and shouted “I didn't say anything, I'm sorry”, Mr Williams said.

He fell and CCTV footage released from the ground showed Mr Sawad on the ground and Kenlyn punching him while he was on the ground.

The other passengers tried to intervene and the Complainant tried to run away again, but Kenlyn knocked him down.

Mr Williams said Mr Jawad had not suffered any serious injuries but it was a “very frightening incident”.

In less than nine minutes, Kenlyn was at Finchley Road station – three stops further on the Jubilee line or one on the Metropolitan line.

Mr Williams said Mr Cambeiro spotted Kenlyn “looking aggressive” and walking towards him along the platform with a clenched fist.

The accused raised his fist and Mr Cambeiro immediately found himself on the railway tracks with a dislocated and broken elbow, the prosecutor added.

Mr Williams said: “Mr Cambeiro confirms that without the help of staff and other passengers he simply would not have been able to get back onto the platform, due to injuries to his right arm.”

Minutes later, at West Hampstead station, Kenlyn rammed a car after Mr Acton and hit him, causing him to fall onto the seat dividers and fracture his ribs.

Kenlyn, of North Circular Road, Ealing, left the car after hitting Mr Acton and by 1.45pm that day had returned to the stop near his home.

Mr Williams said: “Mr Acton went down to Finchley Road and reported what had happened to him, and of course there were then staff and police officers dealing with what had just happened in that job “.

Kenlyn is charged with attempted murder and assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Cambeiro, assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Mr Acton and assault by beating against Mr Jawad.

He denies the accusations.