Four arrests after man set on fire on train

The incident occurred on the 6.50pm Brighton to Littlehampton service on Sunday (December 7) when the man was approached by four youths and seriously assaulted as he slept.

The man's beard was set alight during the assault and he suffered full thickness burn injuries to his face.

BTP DCI Gareth Williams said police arrested one youth late yesterday by appointment at Brighton and three others were arrested at home addresses in the Lancing and Worthing this afternoon.

"We have now arrested four male youths on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm on a 21-year-old man on Sunday. We are not looking for any other individuals at this stage in relation to this distressing case.

"Officers have been working round-the-clock gathering evidence in relation to the case and would like to thank those members of the public who came forward and provided us with valuable evidence in the case.

"The help of the public, our colleagues at Sussex Police, good quality CCTV evidence and descriptions provided by the victim himself has allowed us to make these swift arrests.

"The victim has been released from hospital and is recovering at home from this horrifying ordeal."

The ages of those arrested are 18, 19, 13 and 14.