A thug guilty of trying to kill a train passenger in a horror bottle attack has been jailed for 12 years.
Thomas Craig, 48, repeatedly stabbed Glenn Lennon with a smashed bottle on the Glasgow Queen Street to Perth service on February 16, 2024.
The 23-year-old victim was struck near the heart, suffering a collapsed lung and a severed artery. He also lost 40 per cent of his blood.
Mr Lennon was attacked after Craig initially turned on the man’s friend, Aaron Nelson, 22, following a minor disagreement on the train.
Shocking footage released by British Transport Police showed a raging Craig leaping from his seat armed with a glass bottle.
Craig was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow today.
He had earlier been convicted of attempted murder and aggravated assault following a trial last month.
Lord Arthurson told the attacker: “Your victims were complete strangers to you.
“You had, that day, taken alcohol for six hours and also cocaine.
“Footage of the crimes was played to the jury.
“In a background report for this case, you described yourself as ‘a monster’ who was unrecognisable to you.
“You launched a violently appalling attack, terrifying them and all on board who witnessed what you did.”
The judge also paid tribute to passengers who went to help the injured victims, including a nurse who was on board.
Jurors heard how Craig had been drinking before he began speaking to fellow passengers on the train.
Photo: Thomas Craig on board the Glasgow Queen Street to Perth train moments before the attack
Photo Credit: British Transport Police
He hurled an insult before suddenly leaving his seat and attacking Mr Nelson.
Craig struck him over the head with the bottle as the victim tried to escape down the carriage while other panicked travellers looked on.
The attacker caught up with him and struck him again, causing the bottle to smash.
Mr Lennon attempted to intervene but was then stabbed in the chest with the broken neck of the bottle.
Painter and decorator Craig also snatched Mr Lennon’s mobile phone.
The court heard both men were left scarred for life.
Craig, of Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, was caught on camera walking back down the train before removing his blood-splattered jumper and replacing it with a clean hoodie.
Police and paramedics met the train at Larbert railway station in Stirlingshire, where the victims were taken to hospital and Craig was arrested.
Tony Graham KC, defending, said: “There are essentially two Thomas Craigs – one who behaves in an inappropriate and criminal way, and one who is a contributor to those around him.”
The advocate added that Craig has “struggled to understand” how he behaved that day but is aware the attacks will likely continue to “haunt” the victims.
Mr Graham said: “He is a man who has seen his face on CCTV. He is a man who has seen what he has done.”
Craig also wrote a letter to Lord Arthurson, which the judge described as “impressive”.
He will be supervised for a further three years on his release.
Headline Photo: CCTV footage released by British Transport Police shows Thomas Craig armed with a bottle during the incident on the train
Photo Credit: British Transport Police