Police hunt man who broke dancer’s nose in unprovoked station attack

Police are hunting a thug who broke a dancer's nose in an unprovoked attack at a railway station which left her too terrified to go to auditions.

Shocking CCTV footage shows the burly man following the unsuspecting young woman through an underpass before suddenly punching her in the face in broad daylight.

The impact sent the 27-year-old victim reeling down the station stairs, and she can be seen staggering in shock for some time afterwards.

Police said the only motive seemed to be that the woman had asked the man to stop tapping a beer bottle loudly on a bench next to her as they both waited at Harrow & Wealdstone Station.

He later followed her off the London Overground service at Carpenders Park station, where he lauched his attack at 3.50pm on Sunday 27 June.

"As she reached the stairs, the man ran from behind her and punched her once to the face, which left her with a broken nose and serious facial bruising," said Detective Inspector Andy Rose of the British Transport Police.

This image shows the suspect wearing a distinctive orange t-shirt which officer hope will help identify him. He is described aged between 19 and 27 years old and of Asian or Arab appearance.

The victim, a professional dancer who is too frightened to be named, said the attack had severely affected her life.

She said: "I am very wary of people – especially men who look like the man who attacked me."

"After the incident and subsequent operation on my nose, I was very paranoid at home, I could not sleep and was worried about how to protect my 16-month-old daughter.

"I had to rely on family to care for my daughter as I was suffering from terrible headaches.

"I am a professional dancer and due to the attack I have not been able to work or attend auditions, hence I have not been paid."

Anyone with information is asked to call BTP on 0800 40 50 40 and quote incident number 320 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.