Man due to be sentenced today for knife attack at Bognor Regis railway station

Friday, 27 February 2026 05:00

By V2 RADIO X @V2RadioSussex

A man is due to be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court today following an unprovoked knife attack at Bognor Regis railway station last November.

Jason McDonagh, who is 22 and of no fixed address, previously pleaded guilty to GBH and two counts of possessing a bladed article.

The attack left the victim with a deep arm wound, requiring hospital treatment.

The court heard that the victim had been at a friend's flat in the early hours of Tuesday 25 November 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 was again aggressive.

At around 8.20am in the morning they left the flat again, while McDonagh remained despite having been asked to leave.

McDonagh then appeared from an alleyway before throwing a glass bottle and a kitchen knife at the victim. He then picked that knife up and chased the victim towards the station with knives in both hands.

He lunged at the victim in the station forecourt, leaving him with a significant slash injury to his right arm. He continued to attack the victim, knocking him to the floor before he was able to get up and run away.

Officers from Sussex Police arrived on scene quickly after calls from members of the public and McDonagh was found and detained shortly afterwards.

The victim was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery to the deep wound on his arm.

BTP Detective Constable Christopher May said: "McDonagh has never explained his horrific 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 onlookers, and in fact just seconds before a group of young schoolchildren had been escorted into the station by their teachers. McDonagh showed absolutely no regard for these people, or indeed the terrified victim who continues to recover from the incident, both physically and psychologically.

"This shocking incident caused considerable shock and concern among the community, and I am glad to see that McDonagh has pleaded guilty to his actions.

"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."

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