Man stabbed in Croydon ambush, while teenage attacker banned from M25 faces jail

A teenager who launched a brutal knife attack outside Croydon College is facing more than half a decade in prison. Kieron Salisbury walked up to Jordan Morgan-Scott and stabbed him twice in a frenzied ambush outside the front entrance of Croydon University Centre, in College Road, on Monday September 25, 2023, Croydon Crown Court heard on Wednesday (May 22) .

CCTV footage of the bloody attack showed Mr Morgan-Scott leaning against a bollard on his electric scooter at around 1.15pm. Salisbury, wearing a gray hoodie and a black mask, then started down the road and headed towards Mr Morgan-Scott. After plunging a knife into Mr Morgan-Scott’s face, the pair struggled and Salisbury’s mask was dislodged.

After breaking free from the struggle, during which he was stabbed twice, Mr Morgan-Scott staggered away. Salisbury seemed to say something, then looked over his shoulder before running away with the blade in his right hand. Police were unable to find the weapon, but the court heard evidence that a “large machete” was found during a search of the Salisbury address.

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The 20-year-old knifeman, formerly of Corbett Close, New Addington, was arrested and has made no comment. He later pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife in a public place. After admitting GBH and possession of a knife at a plea hearing last year, Salisbury was released on bail with electronic monitoring at a caravan site in Sheerness, Kent.

Prosecutor Margaret Anucha said the cut on Mr Morgan-Scott’s chest was 1cm and the wound on his left thigh was 3cm. She also said his scooter was stolen by another group of youths during the attack.

In his impact statement, Mr Morgan-Scott said the trauma of the stabbing had caused him to abuse alcohol, struggle to go out and suffer psychotic episodes and nightmares. He also claimed that Salisbury kicked in his front door, then ran away and on another occasion “jumped” (attacked) him.

Ms Anucha said there was “a clear history” between the men, who once lived in the same accommodation. She recommended a starting point of five years for the Section 18 offense of wounding with intent and a shorter concurrent sentence for possession of a knife.

“he lied”

Defense lawyer Sahara Fergus-Simms said her client had shown remorse in their pre-conference meeting, but Judge Deborah Charles questioned whether he could be taken at face value. “He’s clearly not telling the truth to the pre-sentence report writer,” she said, “He’s claiming he hit them once. It’s obviously not true.”

“He lied to the probation officer,” Judge Charles continued. “That is obviously untrue. He has a wound on his chest and another on his left thigh.” Defending her client, Ms Fergus-Simms insisted he was remorseful, telling the court: “He cried today.”

After further mitigation, Judge Charles highlighted a legal issue – which cannot be reported – and adjourned the case. Salisbury was again granted conditional bail, which prevents him from entering the M25.

But before he left, Judge Charles warned Salisbury that, although she had not made up her mind, he should prepare for immediate custody when she returned. “The fact that bail has been granted does not indicate that you are receiving a non-custodial sentence,” the judge added. Salisbury left court with his father, who sat in the public gallery throughout the hearing.

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