Man accused of stabbing dad to death on train 'previously knifed housemate in neck'

The man accused of murdering another train passenger Lee Pomeroy over a remark had previously knifed his housemate in an argument over cigarette papers, a court heard.

Darren Pencille allegedly stabbed Mr Pomeroy, 51, 18 times on a train from Guildford to London Waterloo on January 4 of this year.

Pencille, 36, pleaded guilty in February 2010 to wounding with intent after he stabbed a man in West Norwood southeast London, a court heard.

Jacob Hallam QC said in court: “He became involved in an argument with the victim, a 24-year-old male who also lived there."

Mr Hallam said in court that Pencille was “loud and aggressive” and left the man “bleeding heavily”.

Mr Hallam then said in court: "It transpired he'd been stabbed twice to the left side of his neck and once to the shoulder”.

Jurors also heard today Pencille admitted another offence of common assault last June over an argument with another person he was living with in Brixton.

Pencille got off the train after the attack and was collected by his girlfriend, Chelsea Mitchell, who allegedly helped him to change his appearance.

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Mr Pomeroy was heading to London with his son to celebrate his birthday when the tragic attack happened.

In a previous court hearing, Mr Hallam said that the father and son may have been ‘blocking’ Pencille's way, prompting the snide response: ‘Ignorance is bliss’.

Pencille allegedly made the comment twice before Mr Pomeroy asked what he meant.

It led to a ‘heated’ row, which was ‘fast-moving, unexpected and tragic’, Mr Hallam said.

A passenger who witnessed the argument said Pencille was the aggressor. He allegedly swore at Mr Pomeroy in front of his teenage son, calling him a ‘p***y’.

When Pencille was arrested over the attack in January, police found images of knives on his phone.

Today, Pencille's barrister Justin Rouse QC told the court: “We do not propose to call any evidence.”

Pencille, of no fixed address, denies murder and his girlfriend Mitchell of Farnham, Surrey denies assisting an offender.

The trial continues.