Four men have been sentenced to young offenders institutions after a brutal knife attack on a Southeastern train left a 19-year-old man with multiple stab wounds. The incident took place on November 21 last year, around 7:30 pm, on a train travelling from Grove Park to St John’s.
The attackers—Rowan Jones, Jahvarn Warren, Kumarl Best, and Rahim Al-Kamara—boarded the train at Grove Park station. At Hither Green station, the 19-year-old victim boarded the same train, only to be confronted by the group.
Rowan Jones and Jahvarn Warren initially grabbed the victim’s coat and slapped his face, while Kumarl Best produced a 17-inch knife and stabbed him multiple times. Despite the victim falling to the floor, the attackers continued their assault, kicking and punching him while Jones filmed the incident.
After the attack, the four returned to their seats. The victim managed to hobble to the next carriage, where he collapsed onto a seat, holding his thigh. The attackers fled the train at St John’s station, while members of the public assisted the injured man. He was later taken to hospital with a large stab wound to his thigh, a smaller thigh wound, and several defensive wounds to his hands.
The attackers were arrested in the following days, with police discovering the 17-inch blade at Best’s home, still covered in blood.
On Monday (September 30), all four were sentenced:
- Kumarl Best, 19, of Hunter Road in Thornton Heath, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 31 months in a young offender’s institution.
- Rowan Jones, 21, of Maud Chadburn Place in Clapham, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, affray, and possession of a weapon in private. He received a 21-month sentence.
- Jahvarn Warren, 19, of Castillon Road in Hither Green, admitted to causing grievous bodily harm and affray and was sentenced to 18 months.
- Rahim Al-Kamara, 21, of Hatfield Close in New Cross, pleaded guilty to affray and received a 17-month sentence.
DC Danny Nelson, the investigating officer, described the attack as “brutal and senseless.” He said, “The victim was fortunate not to sustain even more serious injuries. While none of the four revealed the reason for their actions, the frenzied nature of their onslaught leaves no doubt that their intention was to cause serious injury. There is absolutely no reason to carry a deadly weapon like this in public unless they mean to endanger life.”
DCI Paul Attwell praised the investigating team, stating, “This was a complex investigation into a vicious attack, and I thank the team involved for their tireless work and dedication. Knife crime remains a blight on society, and we will not stop in our efforts to bring those responsible to justice.”
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of knife crime and the devastating impact it can have on victims and the community. The British Transport Police continues to encourage the public to report any suspicious activity in an effort to curb knife-related violence on public transport
