A Court of Appeal hearing has increased the prison term of a man convicted of a violent knife attack at Kennington Underground station, after the case was referred by the Solicitor General and Lewisham West and East Dulwich MP, Ellie Reeves KC.
Sentence raised on appeal
The defendant, 36-year-old Nicholas Orlando Green of Kennin(g) Park Road, saw his original sentence extended following the appeal sitting on Wednesday 15 July. Green had previously been sentenced at Inner London Crown Court in December after being found guilty of offences including two counts of Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent.
| Original sentence | New sentence |
|---|---|
| 11 years custody + 5 years on licence | 18 years custody + 5 years on licence |
The prosecutor had argued the original term was unduly lenient. The Solicitor General used the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme to refer the case to the Court of Appeal, citing the severity of the attack.
Details of the incident
According to the British Transport Police, the assaults happened at about 10.30pm on 27 March 2024. Two men, aged 44 and 42, had arrived at Kennington after attending a local dance class with others. The men split from their larger group and stood on separate platforms when Green entered the station.
Witness accounts and court evidence described a rapid and sustained assault on the 44-year-old, who was repeatedly stabbed for around 20 seconds, continuing even after he fell. A second man who intervened was then attacked in the same manner. A 31-year-old woman was later assaulted in a station lift as Green made his exit.
- Victims taken to hospital; the two male victims suffered serious injuries.
- Green was also convicted of possession of a bladed article and common assault.
- The case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
“This was a shocking and horrific attack. Green targeted three people with extreme merciless violence,”
Those were the words of Ellie Reeves KC, who welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to lengthen the custodial term and pledged ongoing support for measures ensuring serious knife offenders face substantial punishment.
Local impact and context
The attack occurred on a part of the Tube network used by many Lewisham residents who commute across south London. Incidents of knife crime on public transport have raised concerns about passenger safety and policing on trains and stations. The successful referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme highlights the role elected officials can play in scrutinising sentencing where the public or prosecutors consider a punishment insufficient.
Police and transport authorities continue to urge anyone with information about violent incidents on the network to come forward to the British Transport Police or local police teams. Victims and witnesses are reminded they can access support services through NHS and local victim support charities.
The Court of Appeal’s decision increases the custodial element of Green’s sentence to 18 years, followed by a further five years on licence.
