A DISAGREEMENT over a cigarette lighter left a man without part of his ear.

The vicious attack took place at the taxi rank outside Three Bridges Railway Station after the victim on a train from Brighton.

The 25-year-old male victim was approaching people waiting in the queue asking for a cigarette lighter.

But Ian Berry took offence to the request and started attacking the man.

Berry and a 17-year-old boy knocked the victim to the ground and continued to kick and punch him as he lay on the floor.

At this point a 38-year-old woman who was with the victim became involved in the altercation and was pulled to the floor by her hair and kicked.

A few minutes later Berry threatened the male victim with a bottle before walking away towards the taxi rank.

The victim was taken to East Surrey Hospital for treatment. His right ear was partially severed and he had cuts and bruises to his eye. He had to have several operations to reconstruct his ear.

The woman sustained minor injuries to her leg and hand.

Berry's teenage accomplice was arrested five days after the attack took place in July 2015 and Berry was detained days later.

Berry, 39, of Solon New Road Estate, Lambeth, was found guilty of one count GBH at Lewes Crown Court. He was jailed for three years.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also found guilty of one count of GBH and was sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order and 150 hours of unpaid work.

A 36-year-old woman was charged with assault and was found not guilty at court.

Detective constable Vanessa Cottington of the British Transport Police said: "This was an unprovoked attack on two members of the public at Three Bridges Railway Station.

"It is not known why Berry decided to use such levels of violence against a man who he didn’t even know, but I hope that his time behind bars will make him think twice before he acts in such a manner again.

"The victim sustained a serious injury and lost part of his ear.

"Violence like this will not be tolerated by British Transport Police and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice."