Bus passenger suffers facial injuries after assault in Pagham
Police have released a photo of a man they would like to speak with.
Last updated 28th Sep 2020
A bus passenger has suffered facial injuries after being assaulted in Pagham.
The victim, aged 63, was travelling home on the 600 bus from Chichester to Pagham last Monday afternoon (21 September).
Officers say another passenger was abusing others on the bus about not wearing face masks, and the man interjected and asked him to stop, in particular to take the suspect's attention away from a school girl he was abusive to.
But, when the victim got off the bus at the stop outside the Lamb pub at Pagham at 4.30pm, the suspect followed him, punched him in the face and kicked him to the head when he fell down, before walking off.
The victim was treated for facial injuries at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester.
Police have released a photo of a man they want to find, who is described as white, about 6', and of slim build although he appeared quite muscular, in his early to mid-20s.
He was reportedly clean shaven with short hair and quite a prominent nose, and was wearing a light coloured top with light coloured trousers.
PC Tom Fisk said:
"This was a nasty and unprovoked attack on a bus passenger simply supporting fellow passengers.
"We think people will recognise this suspect so if you can help please contact us either online or by calling 101, quoting serial 1126 of 21/09."