Train glare ends in platform gang-bashing

September 3, 2010

LINK

gang of youths kicked a train commuter in the head in Melbourne’s east last night after he glared at them for smoking on a train then tried to barge his way to safety, say police.

Have you witnessed, or been a victim of, violence on our trains? Email us with your story

The 38-year-old Caulfield North man was on a Frankston-bound train shortly after 9.30pm when he noticed two of the boys smoking, police said.

He gave them a disapproving look just moments before he stepped off the train at Malvern station.

But police said when he got off the train the boys followed.

While the man was on the platform, police believe the group signalled to another group of young men standing nearby and yelled out an order to bash the man.

Two males police want to speak to.

In an attempt to escape, the victim then tried to run through the group, knocking three of the teens over.

But he was grabbed by the others and pulled to the ground, where he was punched and kicked repeatedly to the head, face and body.

Police said other commuters called for help and Metro staff ran to the scene, which prompted the group of attackers to run away.

The man’s injuries included swelling, bruising and soreness to his left eye, swelling to the back of his head and a minor laceration to his forehead.

The man’s clothing was torn and he received a deep cut and swelling to his left elbow and cuts to both knees.

The six attackers are described as fair-skinned, between 17 and 22 years old, of medium build and about 185 centimetres tall.

One of the attackers was wearing a blue and black stripped windcheater while another was wearing a light-coloured hooded windcheater with black insignia on the front.

Police said four of the men were wearing street clothing and baseball caps.

The victim was treated at the scene but was not taken to hospital.

‘‘We are working with Department of Transport at this point to look at CCTV footage from Malvern railway station, and will hopefully be in a position to release that later this afternoon,’’ said

Acting Superintendent Nigel Howard of the Transit Police.