Tube pusher believed he was under threat, court hears

A man accused of pushing a passenger on to London Underground tracks falsely believed he was under threat, a court has heard.

Psychiatrists said Donovan Kenlyn, 39, was suffering from schizophrenia when he allegedly attacked three people at three different stations within 35 minutes.

Mr Kenlyn is accused of punching Tube passenger Samer Jawad at Baker Street station and causing Angel Cambeiro to fall on to the tracks at Finchley Road. He is also accused of punching Peter Acton at West Hampstead station, a jury at the Old Bailey was told.

He denies attempted murder, assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating.

Mr Kenlyn accepted he was involved in the incidents but denied the charges because he was “actively” mentally ill, defence barrister Paul Lazarus said.

Jurors have been asked to consider whether he was too unwell to know if his behaviour was wrong.

Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Bradley Hillier said Mr Kenlyn suffered with “persecutory delusions” which caused him to incorrectly believe he was under threat.

He was also experiencing auditory hallucinations, and a thought disorder that made him “at times incomprehensible”, said Dr Hillier.

Dr Hillier said Mr Kenlyn carried out the attacks while in a psychosis-induced “threat-control-override” state.

“Usually people obviously don’t act violently. But in a state where somebody is experiencing heightened threat in their environment, their ability to control their behaviour in terms of violent behaviour is reduced.”

He added: “He thought he was defending himself – and didn’t think that it was wrong because he was subject to an attack.

“And that’s what we believe Mr Kenlyn was doing in terms of trying to defend himself.”

The trial continues.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]