A man who used a smashed bottle to try and kill a stranger on a train has been jailed for 12 years.
Thomas Craig, 48, was caught on CCTV repeatedly stabbing Glenn Lennon on the Glasgow Queen Street to Perth service on 16 February 2024, while high on alcohol and cocaine.
The 23-year-old victim was struck near the heart, with his injuries including a collapsed lung and a severed artery. He also lost 40% of his blood.
At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Arthurson told Craig he had committed a “violently appalling attack” on Lennon and another man, Aaron Nelson, terrifying them and all the witnesses on the train.
Lennon was set upon after Craig, of Barrhead, Renfrewshire, initially turned on Nelson following a minor disagreement.
Footage released by British Transport Police showed Craig leaping from his seat armed with the glass bottle.
He was convicted of attempted murder and aggravated assault following a trial last month.
The court heard how Craig had been drinking alcohol for six hours and had also taken cocaine that day.
Lord Arthurson told Craig: “Your victims were complete strangers to you. 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 other passengers who went to help the injured victims, including a nurse who was on board.
Jurors had heard how Craig hurled an insult at Nelson, 22, before suddenly leaving his seat and hitting him over the head with the bottle.
Nelson tried to escape down the carriage as other panicked travellers watched, but the attacker caught up and struck him again, causing the weapon to smash.
Mr Lennon attempted to step in but was then struck in the chest with the broken neck of the bottle.
Both victims have been left scarred for life.
Craig was seen on camera walking back down the train and changing out of his blood-splattered jumper into a clean hoodie.
Police and paramedics met the train at Larbert railway station 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 Craig “struggled to understand” how he behaved that day, but is aware the attacks will likely continue to “haunt” the victims.
Craig had also written a letter for Lord Arthurson which the judge described as “impressive”.
He will also be supervised for a further three years on his release.
