Man Convicted of Murder After Killing Fellow Train Passenger With Horseshoe

A 42-year-old man has been found guilty of murder after punching another man with a horseshoe in Reading following a disagreement on a train on July 30, 2022, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

Kirkpatrick Virgo was found guilty of murder and possession of an offensive weapon at Reading Crown Court on March 29, the BTP said.

Footage released by the force shows Virgo at Reading Station before the altercation. He can be seen holding the horseshoe in his right hand.

The BTP said Virgo had gotten into an argument with 24-year-old Thomas Parker’s brother on board an Elizabeth Line train after the brother asked Virgo to turn down his music.

During the argument, other passengers heard Virgo say: "Do you want to die tonight?”, according to the BTP.

CCTV footage then showed Virgo and Parker’s groups being temporarily separated on the platform at Reading Station, where Virgo could be seen pulling the horseshoe out of his bag.

Parker was walking away from Virgo when he was struck in the back of the head, the BTP said.

Parker’s brother chased Virgo through the station and BTP staff alerted emergency services.

Parker died an hour after sustaining his injury, the BTP said. Virgo was arrested and conveyed to police custody. Credit: British Transport Police via Storyful