A man has been jailed for slashing another man in a shocking unprovoked knife attack in broad daylight at Bognor Regis railway station, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.
Jason McDonagh, 22, and of no fixed address, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 2 January and pleaded guilty to Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and two counts of Possession of a Bladed Article.
He was sentenced at the same court on Friday, 27 February, to 4-years imprisonment.
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.
CCTV footage shows McDonagh lunging 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.
Shocking footage of the incident and arrest - Credit: British Transport Police
BTP Detective Constable Christopher May said: "I’m pleased to see McDonagh receive a significant custodial sentence that recognises both the physical and psychological harm he caused to the victim, and the shock and concern he caused to the community.
“McDonagh has never explained his 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 commuters who were going about their days, and in fact just seconds before a group of young schoolchildren had been escorted into the station by their teachers. McDonagh carried out his attack without a care at all for any of them.
"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."
Anyone who is the victim of or witness to violence on the railway network should text BTP on 61016. In an emergency, always dial 999.
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