A machete attacker who hacked a passenger in the London Underground in scenes similar to the movie Terminator has been found guilty of attempted murder.
Passengers overturned on top of each other as they ran through carriages when 34-year-old Ricky Morgan launched an unprovoked attack on businessman James Porit, they heard in the process.
Testifying, the victim, who suffered a severe arm injury and cuts to the head and shin, said it was a “horror film” and a science fiction film by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
British transport police have released footage from video surveillance cameras of the violent attack.
Morgan denied attempted murder on the grounds of insanity, but was found guilty by a jury in Old Bailey after two days of deliberation.
He was also convicted of possession of a machete and a locking knife.
Morgan, 34, was heard saying to terrified onlookers, “This is not a terrorist attack, I just want him.”
Describing the attack, Mr Porit said: “He was like a machine. It was like that Terminator movie.
“But he seemed very focused and ruthless, and he was just hell-bent on doing what he was doing.
“I have nothing left now. I don’t know how I escaped.
“I just knew fight or flight. I just ran to save my life. It was like a bump, people were terrified.”
Judge John Hillen adjourned the sentence to July 22 to prepare a psychiatric report.
Image: The attacker was likened by his prey to a predator “and he was hunting”. Photo: BTP
Prosecutor Grace Ong told jurors that Mr Porit and Morgan were complete strangers.
She said: “It was, according to the indictment, a completely unprovoked attack on a Jubilee traveler who was engaged in his daily affairs.”
On the evening of 9 July last year, Mr Porit, a self-employed businessman, visited a gym and was about to meet his girlfriend and father in West London.
He boarded the train north at Westminster before Morgan pulled his machete and key blade from his backpack near Green Park.
In a video interview with the court, Mr Porit said he was watching his work, sitting in the carriage and looking at his phone when he heard a scream.
The next thing he knew, the defendant hit him on the head, the court said.
Image: Morgan let out an “wicked scream” as he charged
Describing the attack, he said, “I prayed, please stop, please stop.”
“I was in shock, it was like a horror movie. I really thought he was going to kill me.”
Mr Porit said he felt nothing but saw blood as Morgan smashed an object over his head.
He said: “He was just hitting me. It didn’t make sense. I didn’t understand why this man was hitting me. There was no confrontation. There was no problem, it was just a blow, (he) started hitting me.
“He was like a machine. It was like that Terminator movie.
“He was emotionless. There seemed to be no compassion.
“But he seemed very focused and ruthless, and he was just hell-bent on doing what he was doing.
“He was on a mission. He kept hitting my shin and I really thought I was going to die.
“I have nothing left now. I don’t know how I escaped. I was afraid I would lose my little finger and held it together.
“I just knew fight or flight. I just ran to save my life. It was like a bump, people were terrified.”
Morgan chased him and threw the “huge” blade out the window of the carriage’s connecting door, Mr Porit said.
Pointing the knife through the door, Morgan said, “I don’t want anyone else, I just want him,” the court heard.
Mr Porit added: “It was like he was a predator and he was hunting and he decided he was hunting me.
“He just didn’t want to stop. He was ruthless. He said he didn’t want anyone else, he just wanted me. He was chained to me.
He also managed to escape through the carriage door, while holding the cut parts of his arm together.
Image: The 34-year-old’s conviction has been postponed for a psychiatric report
One witness said the attacker let out an “wicked scream” when he struck with a machete.
He was heard saying, “This is not a terrorist attack, I just want him.
“I don’t want to kill you, I want to kill him, he was trying to kill me.
Another passenger bravely tried to contact Morgan and told him to “calm down”, the court heard.
Meanwhile, a doctor on the train gave Mr. Porit first aid.
After facing the police, Morgan dropped the blade, raised his hands, and climbed to the floor.
He then told a psychiatrist that he had been carrying the machete and knife for some time.
Morgan, without a fixed address, refused to testify in court.
Following the conviction, Mr Porit said: “The events that took place on the Jubilee train at rush hour changed my family, my girlfriend and my life forever; as well as any person who witnessed the attack on the train that evening.
“It was a long and traumatic journey that I had to go through. I am still in the process of recovery. Until I reach this destination, this is the path I continue to follow.
“The scars from this attack on my legs, elbow, arm, face / head and my whole right arm will stay with me for the rest of my life.
“My surgeon is unable to determine if I will ever regain full use of my right, dominant hand.”
BTP Detective Sergeant Nick Thompson said: “It was a brutal and unprovoked attack. The two men never spoke, never met, and never crossed before.
“It is clear that the situation was appalling for the victim, he managed to escape, but this attack and the injuries he received continue to have a significant impact on his life.
“BTP’s firearms officers were soon at the scene, and Morgan was subdued and detained. He was clearly a danger to the public and the jury considered it necessary to ensure that he would face consequences equal to the severity of the attack. “
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