Brutal Knife Attack Outside Croydon College: Teen Faces Over Half a Decade in Prison

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

CCTV footage captured the violent assault, showing Mr. Morgan-Scott leaning against a bollard with his electric scooter around 1:15 pm. Salisbury, wearing a grey hoodie and black face mask, charged down the road, directly targeting Mr. Morgan-Scott. After thrusting a knife at Mr. Morgan-Scott’s face, the two struggled, causing Salisbury’s face mask to dislodge.

Mr. Morgan-Scott managed to break free from the grapple, despite being stabbed twice. He staggered away while Salisbury appeared to say something, then looked over his shoulder before fleeing with the blade in his right hand. Although the police could not locate the weapon, the court heard that a ‘large machete’ was found during a search of Salisbury’s residence.

The 20-year-old knifeman, formerly of Corbett Close in New Addington, was arrested and initially did not comment. He later pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and possession of a knife in a public place. After admitting to GBH and knife possession at a plea hearing last year, Salisbury was bailed with an electronic monitoring curfew to a caravan site in Sheerness, Kent.

Prosecutor Margaret Anucha stated that the cut to Mr. Morgan-Scott’s chest was 1 cm, and the wound to his left thigh was 3 cm. Additionally, his e-scooter was stolen by another group of young men during the attack.

In his impact statement, Mr. Morgan-Scott described the trauma of the stabbing, which left him abusing alcohol, struggling to go outside, and suffering psychotic episodes and nightmares. He also alleged that Salisbury had previously kicked his front door and, on another occasion, ‘jumped’ him (attacked him).

Ms. Anucha noted there was ‘a clear history’ between the men, who once lived at the same accommodation. She recommended a five-year starting point for the Section 18 offense, wounding with intent, and a shorter concurrent sentence for knife possession.

Defense counsel Sahara Fergus-Simms stated her client had shown remorse in their pre-conference meeting, but Judge Deborah Charles questioned his sincerity. “He’s clearly not telling the truth to the author of the pre-sentence report,” she remarked, “He claims he hit them once. That’s plainly not true.”

Judge Charles continued, “He has lied to the probation officer. It’s patently untrue. He has a wound to the chest and another to his left thigh.” Despite Ms. Fergus-Simms’ insistence on her client’s remorse, telling the court, “He was in tears today,” Judge Charles remained skeptical.

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

Before he left, Judge Charles warned Salisbury, “The fact bail has been granted is not any indication you are getting a non-custodial sentence.” Salisbury then left the court with his dad, who sat in the public gallery throughout the hearing.