Knife-wielding man who slashed male in 'unprovoked' attack which 'horrified' crowd jailed at Portsmouth court
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
A man who threw a knife at his victim in an ‘unprovoked’ attack which ‘horrified’ people close-by has been jailed.
Jason McDonagh, 22, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court after pleading guilty at a previous hearing. He slashed a male in broad daylight and was chased by officers before being detained.
CCTV footage of the arrest shows McDonagh being forced to the floor and put in handcuffs, after lunging at a male while carrying two knives. While being detained, he asked a passer-by “got a ciggie on you geez?”
Court heard the victim had been at a friend's flat in the early hours of November 25, 2025, when McDonagh showed up and was aggressive to both before falling asleep. They left the flat to get some food and returned a short time later when McDonagh awoke and started to become hostile again.
He remained in the property despite being asked to leave, with the pair once again departing from the premises. McDonagh then appeared from an alleyway near Bognor Regis railway station before throwing a glass bottle and a kitchen knife at the victim. He then picked up the blade and chased the man towards the station with knives in both hands.
McDonagh lunged at the victim in the station forecourt, leaving him with a significant slash injury to his right arm. He knocked the man to the floor before he was able to get up and run away. The victim was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery to the deep wound on his arm.
Officers from Sussex Police arrived on scene, with McDonagh found and detained shortly afterwards. British Transport Police carried out an investigation. On January 2, McDonagh pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and two counts of possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to four years behind bars.
BTP Detective Constable Christopher May said: "I’m pleased to see McDonagh receive a significant custodial sentence that recognises both the physical and psychological harm he caused to the victim, and the shock and concern he caused to the community. McDonagh has never explained his actions on that day. He was only loosely known to the victim and by all accounts his actions were completely unprovoked.
"The attack took place at a busy station in front of horrified commuters who were going about their days, and in fact just seconds before a group of young schoolchildren had been escorted into the station by their teachers. McDonagh carried out his attack without a care at all for any of them.
"Our detectives and forensics officers worked tirelessly to gather vital evidence so that McDonagh could be charged and remanded within 24 hours of the incident, ensuring he was taken off the streets and justice achieved for the victim. I’d like to thank them, our partners at Sussex Police, the local authority and the Crown Prosecution Service for their incredible hard work and support during our investigation."
Anyone who is the victim of or witness to violence on the railway network should text BTP on 61016. In an emergency, always dial 999.