At 8.05pm on 18 February, a man boarded a train from Manchester Piccadilly. The situation escalated when he had a confrontation with a loud teenage boy who was speaking on his mobile phone.
In an attempt to avoid further conflict, the victim moved down the carriage, preparing to get off at Holmes Chapel. However, the teenage boy followed him and repeatedly punched the man in the head.
After the assault, the attacker exited the train at Crewe and caught another train heading to Cardiff.
The victim sustained serious injuries, including a deep cut on his lip that required stitches, as well as bruises on his head and ear.
British Transport Police have released CCTV footage of the suspect and are urging anyone who recognises the boy to come forward. You can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016, calling 0800 40 50 40 and quoting reference 170 of 20 February, or reporting anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Originally published by UKNIP.