A shocking act of violence unfolded at Kennington Underground station when a man launched a brutal 20-second attack, leaving two men seriously injured and a woman assaulted as he fled.
The incident, which took place shortly after 10.30pm on Wednesday, March 27 last year, has sent ripples through the local community and highlighted ongoing concerns about knife crime in London.
The Attack and Its Immediate Aftermath
Nicholas Orlando Green, 36, targeted two men aged 44 and 42, who had just finished a local dance class.
After dispersing to separate platforms, Green entered the station and, within moments, began what police described as a “ferocious and unprovoked attack.”
He stabbed the first man for roughly 20 seconds before turning on the second man, knocking him down and stabbing him multiple times as he tried to intervene.
Members of the public bravely stepped in, but Green went on to assault a 31-year-old woman near the station lift before fleeing.
Both male victims were rushed to hospital.
The 44-year-old suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest and a fractured humerus, while the 42-year-old endured 13 stab wounds in total.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Police were able to identify Green quickly thanks to a bank card he had used to access the station and the trainers he was wearing during the attack.
He was arrested the following day.
On Monday, September 1, Green was found guilty at Inner London Crown Court of two counts of GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm) with intent, one count of possession of a bladed article, and one count of common assault.
He was acquitted of two counts of attempted murder and one count of sexual assault.
Green has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced in early December.
Police Reaction to the Horror
Describing the attack as “horrific,” Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell highlighted the lasting impact on the victims.
“Both men have been left with life-altering physical and psychological injuries that they continue to recover from,” he said.
He added, “Green’s torrent of violence that day has never been satisfactorily explained.
During interviews, he repeatedly laughed, lied, argued, and tried to frustrate our investigation.
But our officers worked tirelessly to gather crucial evidence that helped the jury see through his lies and bring him to justice.
I hope this outcome brings some measure of justice and reassurance to the victims and their loved ones.”
Knife Crime in London: A Growing Epidemic
The attack comes amid a broader surge in knife crime across the capital.
A recent report by former Scotland Yard detective David Spencer reveals that knife offences in London have jumped by up to 86 per cent in a decade.
The West End alone reportedly accounts for more knife crimes than almost 15 per cent of the rest of London combined.
Spencer warned that the Met Police must take a “crime fighting first” approach to tackle the growing epidemic of knife crime, robbery, and theft.
Nationally, knife offences have risen by 78 per cent since 2014, but London’s figures remain particularly alarming, with 16,879 knife crimes recorded last year — roughly a third of the total for England and Wales.
Public Outcry and Political Pressure
In response to the rising figures, campaigners have criticized Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, calling him “not fit for purpose” and accusing him of undermining the Met Police.
As Londoners grapple with fears about safety on public transport and in busy urban areas, the Kennington attack serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violent crime.