Lee Pomeroy death: Man accused of killing father on Surrey train in front of son speaks out in court hearing

Darren Pencille is charged with the murder of 51-year-old Lee Pomeroy

A man accused of stabbing a father to death on a train in front of the victim’s 14-year-old son told a court he is “innocent until proven guilty”.

Darren Shane Pencille, 35, is charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon following the attack on IT consultant Lee Pomeroy, 51, in Surrey on Friday afternoon.

Mr Pomeroy suffered at least nine stab wounds during the journey between Guildford and London, it is said.

A manhunt led detectives to a flat in Farnham on Saturday morning and they made two arrests.​

Mr Pencille appeared in the dock at Staines Magistrates’ Court on Monday wearing glasses and a prison-issue grey tracksuit.

He stood in the dock to confirm his name, date of birth and his British nationality but told magistrates he had no address during a hearing lasting just over two minutes

Mr Pencille then addressed magistrates from his seat, telling them: “Innocent until proven guilty.” He added: “I’m paranoid. I’m hearing voices.”

He did not enter a plea and chair of the bench Helen Mattey remanded him in custody.

Mr Pencille’s partner Chelsea Mitchell, 27, from Willbury Road in Farnham, was also remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with assisting an offender.

Prosecutors claim the mother-of-one helped the alleged killer leave the scene and to change his appearance on 4 January.

She appeared before magistrates wearing a grey tracksuit, speaking only to confirm her name, date of birth, address and that she is British.

Both she and Mr Pencille appeared at Guildford Crown Court later on Monday afternoon.

Ms Mitchell blew a kiss to people in the public gallery as she left the dock following a brief hearing.

Mr Pencille, this time appearing without glasses, nodded to confirm his identity, then stood quietly as he was addressed by the judge.

Judge Robert Fraser remanded the pair in custody to appear by prison video-link at the same court on 7 February.

Mr Pomeroy, who would have celebrated his 52nd birthday on Saturday, was described by his family as “an honourable man and would always help somebody who was in trouble.”

In a statement, the family said he was a cultured man who loved his 50-year-old wife, Svetlana Pomeroy.

“He was a devoted family man and did everything for his family,” they said.

Mr Pomeroy and his son had boarded the 12.58pm train service between Guildford and London Waterloo at London Road station.

Police believe a brief row broke out, leading to Mr Pomeroy’s death, and that his killer alighted at Clandon following the stabbing.

The train continued on to Horsley where emergency services attended.

Additional reporting by PA