Convict sentenced for attempted child murder by deliberately stepping in front of a train in Glasgow
Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Attempted Murder at Glasgow Railway Station
Frederick Danquah, a 28-year-old man, has been sentenced to ten years in jail for attempting to murder a two-year-old boy at Garrowhill railway station in Glasgow on 2 July 2023.
The incident took place after an argument between Danquah and the child's mother. Danquah, carrying the toddler on his shoulders, stepped in front of an oncoming train. Both Danquah and the child were injured in the incident, with Danquah sustaining a broken jaw and neck fracture, and the child suffering cuts and bruises but no serious injuries. The child was discharged from hospital two days later.
Danquah was convicted of attempted murder by a jury at the High Court in Glasgow last month, after denying the charges. Judge Tony Kelly sentenced him, stating that the harm was of the greatest kind and that Danquah intended for the child's mother to attend his funeral.
Prior to the incident, Danquah posted a suicidal message on Facebook and prepared a contingency plan. He attempted to climb a bridge over the M8 but was stopped by police and reassured them before proceeding to the railway station.
The incident not only affected the child and his family but also the train drivers and rescuers who experienced distress. A non-harassment order was also imposed until the child turns 18.
Gary Allan, Danquah's defense, described the incident as a "horrible miracle." Danquah is currently receiving psychiatric help since the incident. It was heard during the trial that the jury did not find that Danquah was not suffering from some kind of depressive condition.
DCI Marc Francey of BTP described Danquah's actions as incomprehensible. The British Transport Police welcomed the conclusion of the court case. Danquah has been beaten up by other prisoners since his sentencing, but no further information about his current status has been provided.
[1] BBC News, "Man jailed for attempting to murder two-year-old at Glasgow railway station," 2023. [2] The Scotsman, "Man jailed for 10 years for attempting to murder two-year-old boy at Glasgow railway station," 2023. [3] The Guardian, "Two-year-old boy discharged from hospital after Glasgow railway station incident," 2023.
- Despite preparing a suicide plan, Frederick Danquah's actions led to an attempted murder charge as he stepped in front of a train with a two-year-old boy on his shoulders, causing distress among train drivers and rescuers.
- The court case surrounding Frederick Danquah's attempted murder trial revealed that he had posted a suicidal message on Facebook and had a contingency plan, hinting at potential involvement of politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice aspects in addition to the tragic event.
