Police hunt for suspect after man is repeatedly punched on bus 'for not having a lighter'

Hannah Al-Othman27 January 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Police are hunting a man who launched two vicious assaults on innocent fellow bus passengers.

Both incidents happened on board route 18 buses on 26 September last year, when the suspect violently set upon two passengers in seemingly unprovoked attacks.

The first incident happened at 1.55pm, as a bus that was travelling along Harlesden High Street from Euston.

The suspect asked a passenger - a 23-year-old man - for a lighter, and when the passenger said he didn’t smoke, the man started shouting at him before punching him repeatedly for about five minutes.

Suspect: Police believe the two attacks are linked
Met Police

The victim was treated in hospital for a bloody nose and cuts to his lip, and the suspect managed to flee the scene before police arrived.

Later that day, at about 2.40pm, another man was attacked on board a route 18 bus travelling on Marylebone Road, from Westminster towards Euston Station.

The suspect shouted at the victim, a 34-year-old man who was travelling with his daughter, before headbutting and punching him.

The victim and his daughter attempted to move away from the violent man, but the suspect followed and continued his unprovoked assault.

The victim asked the driver to stop the bus so that he could get off, but he was followed off by the attacker, who eventually fled the scene after nearby members of the public intervened.

The victim was treated at the scene by police officers.

Officers are treating both incidents as linked and are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incidents or recognises the man pictured, to contact PC Andrew Barrenger, who is leading the investigation on 07826 536183 or via 101.

Alternatively, anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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