A suspect cleared of pushing a Tulse Hill station railway worker down a flight of stairs has been cleared, but was still locked-up for carrying a knife in the same location.GBH Appeal Led To Murray's Arrest
These images were released by British Transport Police (BTP) after the victim was hospitalised with a cut to the back of his head, resulting in the arrest of local man Malaki Murray, 22.
However, at Inner London Crown Court this week the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offered no evidence against him on a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, on Surge Mabam on June 23, 2021.
Murray, of Peabody Hill, Dulwich, which is 200 metres from the station, was on bail awaiting trial when he was arrested outside on June 13, last year for having a kitchen knife.
He was immediately remanded in custody and has been locked-up for the last eight months.
Murray pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article outside Tulse Hill station and was sentenced to six months imprisonment - resulting in his immediate release.
He was also in breach of two suspended sentences, but only sentenced to one day’s imprisonment on each, ruling out any more time in custody.
BTP launched a public appeal to track down the GBH suspect accused of injuring the railway worker at 9.30am and then fleeing the station.
Murray was charged, but the CPS decided their identification evidence was insufficient to convict him.
While on bail police officers observed Murray near the station last summer and were suspicious because his face was covered and he was holding a bag.
He showed the officers he had a receipt for the items in the bag, but was caught with a knife in his jogging bottoms and was arrested after he tried to run away and was involved in a physical struggle with the police.
One officer suffered a dislocated finger during the arrest.
Tulse Hill Station GBH Suspect |
The court heard it is suspected he has ADHD and autism.
Judge Silas Reid said: “He has been habitually carrying a knife since the age of sixteen. That is what he told the psychiatrist.
“He accepts he has been carrying a knife around for the last five years.” added the judge, who heard Murray was once the victim of a violent stabbing and carries a knife for self-defence.
Judge Reid told Murray: “You were on bail for a very serious offence and in your waistband you had a kitchen-type knife.
“The reason you carry that knife was because you were the victim of a stabbing at the age of seventeen years-old and had a fixated view of needing to carry a knife to defend yourself.”
Murray has made disturbing comments to professionals, such as: “I like to come out on top,” and: “People who are attacked are defenceless.”
Judge Reid told him: “That’s why courts take the carrying of knives seriously. People get stabbed and you have been a victim of that.
“Anyone who carries a knife can expect to go to prison. You have a relatively bad record for a young man and are in breach of two suspended sentences.
“Please listen to me carefully. Going forward you must stop carrying knives to reduce the risk of you ending up in prison for a long time.
“The minimum sentence you will receive for carrying a knife will be six months imprisonment, although you will probably get more.”