Boy, 15, 'feared for his life' as man held knife to his throat on Southern rail train

Appeal: Police want to speak to this man after an 'unprovoked attack' on a 15-year-old boy
British Transport Police
Hatty Collier9 March 2017
WEST END FINAL

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A 15-year-old boy "feared for his life" as a knife was held to his throat by a man on a Southern rail train, police said.

The teenager was taunted and threatened by the man who had asked the boy and his group of friends: “Do any of you have a problem with me?”

When they replied 'no', the man lunged towards the 15-year-old and held a knife to his throat.

The suspect walked off after the "unprovoked attack" and left the train at Horsham before boarding a second service towards Ockley.

British Transport Police has issued a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

Police said the victim, who did not sustain any injuries, and his friends were travelling on the 2.37pm service from Crawley to Littlehaven in Sussex on Tuesday, February 7.

PC Mark Brookes from BTP, said: “The group of boys were incredibly frightened by this man’s threatening and violent behaviour. This unprovoked assault left the young boy fearing for his life.

“Violent incidents such as this are thankfully rare, and we have a number of active enquiries in place to trace the man responsible.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 216 of 09/03/2017 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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