A man has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for attempting to murder a fellow passenger by stabbing him with a broken Buckfast bottle in a violent attack on a crowded intercity train. Thomas Craig, 48, assaulted a stranger on a Glasgow to Dundee service on February 16 last year. He relentlessly pursued the victim down the carriage, striking him multiple times on the head with the bottle until it broke, then proceeded to attack the victim’s friend who tried to intervene, causing serious injuries.
During the trial at the High Court in Glasgow, it was revealed that the second victim suffered a near-fatal wound near his heart and lost a significant amount of blood due to the assault. Craig was convicted of endangering the first victim’s life and attempting to murder the second. He was handed a 12-year prison sentence and will be under supervision for three years upon release.
CCTV footage released by British Transport Police in December captured Craig’s violent actions as he charged down the carriage, attacking the victims before changing his clothing to evade detection. The judge, Lord Arthurson, condemned Craig’s actions, stating that passengers have the right to travel safely without fear.
Describing the incident near Larbert train station, Lord Arthurson highlighted the severity of Craig’s violent behavior, labeling the attack on the second victim as “wholly murderous.” He commended the bravery of passengers who came to the victims’ aid, including a nurse who provided assistance.
Following the attack, police and paramedics met the train at Larbert railway station to provide urgent medical care to the victims. Craig, who had been under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, expressed remorse for his actions through his legal representation, acknowledging the harm and suffering he caused.
Detective Inspector Marc Francey of the British Transport Police condemned Craig’s actions as despicable, emphasizing the severity of the incident and the potential for more severe consequences. He reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards violence on the railway and emphasized the commitment to pursuing offenders to ensure justice is served.