A teenager had a bottle smashed over his head by a man he and his friends were talking to on a train to Brighton. 

The victim, a 19-year-old man from East Grinstead, boarded the London to Brighton train with some friends at Haywards Heath.

The group got involved in a conversation with another group of men already on the train.

Detective Constable Nigel Craig said: “One of the group already on the train, began chatting with the victim.

“While the conversation initially appeared good-natured, it soon turned sour when the man, without warning, smashed a bottle over the victim’s head.”

Both groups left the train at Brighton. While the victim sought assistance, his attacker left the station before police arrived.

DC Craig said: “What began as a good-humoured conversation ended in an act of mindless violence.

“The victim sustained a nasty wound to his head that required treatment by paramedics.

“I believe his attacker is from the Brighton area. I also believe there were other people on the train that night who know who he is.”

British Transport Police (BTP) detectives are asking for the public’s help after a man was assaulted on a train on January 31 at 10.20pm.

Detectives have released an image of a man who they believe can help with their enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference SSUB/B6 of 02/03/2015.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.