Machete attack trial collapses

A Tube passenger accused of trying to murder a complete stranger with a machete is facing a retrial after the jury was discharged.

Ricky Morgan, 34, allegedly slashed James Porritt, in his 30s, on the Jubilee Line between Green Park and Bond Street on 9 July last year.

Jurors heard Morgan swung a machete and cut Mr Porritt on the head, the right hand and the shin, exposing his skull, shin bone and cutting his hand into ‘pieces’.

Grace Ong, prosecuting, had described the incident as a ‘completely unprovoked attack upon a commuter on the Jubilee Line going about his daily business.’

But on the second day of the trial Judge Rebecca Poulet, QC, discharged the jury for legal reasons.

Morgan, of no fixed address, denies attempted murder and two counts of having an article with a blade or point.

He now faces a retrial at the Old Bailey on a date be fixed.
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