VOTE: Terror on Worthing train

A MAN set his dog on a train guard after an argument about his ticket.

The guard, who was working on the 12.17pm service from London Victoria to Littlehampton, was taken to hospital suffering from injuries to his thigh and arm after the attack.

The man and the dog, believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, fled the train at Worthing railway station, jumped over the ticket barrier and ran off in an unknown direction.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Natalie Davidson, spokeswoman for the British Transport Police, said the attack happened after an "altercation" between the guard and the man over tickets on Wednesday, January 14.

Stunned staff

The attack stunned train staff and passengers.

One commuter said: "It's very traumatic and frightening where you do a normal day's work and something like that happens.

"Hopefully, the guy's okay and he will be able to get back and get on with his job."

Officers have been studying CCTV footage of the incident and were due to make special patrols at the station yesterday (Wednesday, January 21), exactly a week on from the attack.

Police appeal

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The transport police have appealed for anyone who may have been on the train or on Worthing station at the time of the attack, and may have information, to call them on 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident 226 of 14/1.

Teenagers in court

Four teenagers who were charged after a sleeping man's beard was set alight on a train, have appeared in court.

Yesterday (Wednesday, January 14), two boys, aged 13 and 14, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court, along with two other teenagers '“ Dean Hardy, 19, of Grace Road, Crawley, and Aedan Palmer, 18, of Tower Road, Lancing.

The teenagers are all charged with wounding with intent for the attack on Luke Kennedy, from Arundel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 21-year-old victim was on the 6.50pm Brighton to Littlehampton service on Sunday, December 7, when he was approached by four youths and attacked, just before the train pulled into Durrington station.

The man suffered third-degree burns to his face.

None of the youths entered a plea and magistrates sent the case to be dealt with at Chichester Crown Court, where all four will appear together for the first hearing on May 7.

Have your say

Do you feel safe when travelling by train?

Of the readers taking part in the vote 45 per cent voted yes and 54 per cent voted no.

What do you think?

How do you feel about travelling by train?

What do you enjoy or what concerns you about train journeys?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.

-------------------------------------

Click here to go back to Worthing news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: [email protected]

Click here for the Herald staff directory.

Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.