Lee Pomeroy: what we know about Surrey train stabbing

A 35-year-old man charged with murdering father-of-one Lee Pomeroy on a train in Surrey on Friday has told a court that he is “hearing voices”.

Darren Pencille, 35, is accused of stabbing the 51-year-old to death in front of his 14-year-old son on a train from Guildford to London.

Pencille, of no fixed abode, was charged with murder and possessing an offensive weapon during a hearing today at Staines Magistrates’ Court. His partner, Chelsea Mitchell, a 27-year-old mother-of-one from Farnham, has been charged with assisting an offender, the BBC reports.

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Magistrates were told that Pomeroy, an IT consultant, suffered nine stab wounds after boarding the train at Guildford’s London Road station at about 1pm for an afternoon out with his son.

Witnesses say that he and Pencille had been involved in a row lasting up to four minutes before Pomeroy moved into a different carriage. Emergency services were called to Horsley station following the attack, but Pomeroy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pencille told the court: “Innocent until proven guilty… I’m paranoid. I’m hearing voices.”

He was remanded in custody to appear at Guildford Crown Court this afternoon.

The Guardian reports that police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the killing but have appealed for information. Investigators want to hear from anyone who was on the train at the time, or who has dashcam footage of the Clandon area, near Guildford, after 1pm on 4 January.

Pomeroy was killed the day before his 52nd birthday. “Lee took his son on a trip to London hoping to spend some quality time with him which was cut short by horrific and pointless attack,” his family said on Saturday.

“Lee would have had his birthday today but did not get to see his presents.

“He was an honest, bright person, who loved music very much, he knew history and art and he was a bachelor of science in maths.

“He was devoted family man and did everything for his family. He was an honourable man and would always help somebody who was in trouble. He was a loving husband and father, he will be deeply missed by all his family.”