Green-haired man attacked at Haywards Heath (From The Argus)
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Green-haired man attacked at Haywards Heath
12:00pm Monday 1st October 2012 in News
QUESTIONS: Police want to speak to this man
A group of friends were attacked and subjected to homophobic insults on their journey home from Haywards Heath.
The three friends, returning home after a night out, were attacked as they entered Haywards Heath railway station.
British Transport Police investigators have released CCTV images of a man they would like to identify in connection with the assault, which took place on Friday, August 10.
PC Graham Dodge, leading the investigation, said: “A group of friends entered Haywards Heath station at 11.08pm, after a night of celebrating, followed shortly after by a group of young men.
“One of the victims had dyed green hair, prompting a man to direct homophobic abuse at him.
“When the victim responded to the insult, the man tried to hit him but instead connected with a second man in his group. He then tried to push the second man in the chest and slap him in the head.
“The man followed the group onto the platform, again taunting the first man and punched him in the head, causing the victim to clash heads with a woman in his group.
“The first man and the woman suffered bruising to their faces and heads and left the station after boarding the 11.16pm train to Brighton.”
It is believed the man and his group of friends then boarded a train to Burgess Hill.
PC Dodge added: “This was a cowardly and unprovoked attack that ruined the group’s evening of enjoyment and left them feeling very intimidated.
“Thankfully, in this case, the victims were not seriously injured, but we are taking this assault very seriously nonetheless. I’d appeal for anyone who may have seen this attack, or who recognises the man pictured, to come forward.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting background reference B6/LSA of 20/09/2012.
Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Lofaplace says...
2:46pm Mon 1 Oct 12