Man to stand trial accused of stepping in front of train with toddler on his shoulders at Garrowhill station

A man will stand trial accused of attempting to murder a toddler by stepping in front of a moving train while holding him.

Frederick Danquah, 27, allegedly assaulted the two-year-old at Glasgow’s Garrowhill train station on July 2, 2023.

Court papers state that Danquah placed the boy on his shoulders and stepped in front of a moving train.

The train is said to have struck Danquah and the boy to his severe injury, danger of life and attempted murder.

Danquah faces a separate charge of culpable and recklessly carrying the boy on his shoulders and thereafter repeatedly attempting to climb over a fence on the M8 public footbridge.

The charge says he attempted to pull himself and the boy over the fence with a total disregard for the safety of the toddler and users of the motorway below.

This is claimed to have been to the danger of the boy’s life, Danquah’s own life and the lives of the road users of the motorway below.

A final charge states Danquah, of the city’s Lambhill, breached bail conditions imposed on him on August 3, 2023 by making calls and texts requesting to speak to the boy.

Danquah pled not guilty at a virtual hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Gillian Ross KC, defending, told the hearing that a “51a” special defence has been lodged which states that an accused person was unable to understand the wrongfulness of their actions due to a mental disorder.

The advocate said: “Significant progress has been made despite delays.

“The defence are ready and in a position to fix a trial in this case which has been identified as July 7, 2025 at the High Court in Glasgow.”

Advocate depute Kirsten Cockburn stated that the Crown were also ready for trial.

Michael Macintosh will prosecute the trial while Gary Allan KC will defend Danquah.

A five-day trial was set by Judge Lord Colbeck.