A 48-year-old man has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for a horrifying and unprovoked glass bottle attack on two fellow passengers aboard a busy inter-city train service.
A Drunken and Sudden Assault
Thomas Craig, from East Renfrewshire, launched the violent assault on the 16th of February 2024 on a ScotRail service travelling from Glasgow to Perth. The High Court in Glasgow heard that an intoxicated Craig began speaking to other passengers before hurling an insult at his first victim.
He then suddenly jumped from his seat and struck the man twice over the head with a Buckfast tonic wine bottle. When the victim fled, Craig chased him down the train, continuing the attack until the bottle smashed, leaving him holding the jagged broken neck.
A 'Wholly Murderous' Second Attack
When a friend of the first victim tried to intervene, he became Craig's second target. Craig punched this man seven times before twice thrusting the broken glass bottle neck into his chest.
The injuries sustained were life-threatening, including a stab wound perilously close to his heart, a collapsed lung, and a severed artery. The victim lost around 15% of his blood and required intensive care treatment. Judge Lord Arthurson later described this assault as "a wholly murderous attack".
Sentencing and Aftermath
Following the attack, Craig returned to his seat, discarded the bottle neck, and stole one of the victim's mobile phones. He then changed out of his blood-soaked jumper into a clean hoodie. Police and paramedics met the train at Larbert railway station, where Craig was arrested.
In November, Craig was found guilty of attempted murder and assault to the danger of life. On Monday the 12th of January 2026, at the same court, he was given an extended sentence of 15 years. This comprises 12 years in jail followed by a further 3 years on licence upon his release back into the community.
Passing sentence, Lord Arthurson stated: "On a busy train you launched an appallingly violent attack on two men who were complete strangers to you. Members of the public have every right to be able to travel on public transport safely and without fear."
British Transport Police Detective Inspector Marc Francey said Craig acted in a "truly despicable manner", causing panic among countless passengers. He added that it was only down to luck and the skill of paramedics that the outcome was not even worse.
