Appeal for Witnesses after Man is Strangled on Bus in Earls Court
Unprovoked assault on C1 bus caused victim to pass out
Police are appealing for information after a man was strangled by a passenger in an unprovoked assault while the pair travelled on a bus in the Earls Court area last Saturday.
They have released CCTV images of the suspect in the hopes that he will be recognised.
They say the assault was so fierce that the victim, a 37 year-old man on his way to work, passed out as he was being choked with the suspect's scarf.
It happened at around 1.50pm on Saturday December 1 on a single decker C1 bus travelling between Victoria and White City.
The victim had got on the bus at Victoria bus station on his way to work in Earls Court.
At 1.42pm the suspect got on at Creswell Gardens. CCTV footage shows that he sat immediately behind the victim.
The pair had a brief conversation before the suspect launched at the victim and strangled him with his dark scarf from behind.
Footage shows the victim passing out for a matter of seconds and then coming round. The suspect then tries to strangle him again.
The attack lasted for around 30 seconds. After being assisted by passengers, he then alights at Earls Court with the junction of Cromwell Road and reports the offence to police officers nearby.
He was taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries.
The suspect is seen to leave the bus at Shepherds Bush at 1.57pm.
The suspect is described as a black male, in his early to mid 20s. He was wearing a grey beanie hat, a sleeveless puffa-style jacket, a beige sweat shirt underneath, dark jeans and dark boots.
The officer on the case, Detective Constable Thomas Norman, of Notting Hill CID said: "This was an unprovoked attack on an innocent passenger who was on his way to work.
"The victim has been left highly traumatised. It was so violent that he passed out and this could have been far worse.
"I would urge anyone with information or anyone who recognises this man to contact us as soon as possible. This man is a danger to the public."
Anyone with information or witnesses can contact Notting Hill CID on 0208 246 0217, the non-emergency police line on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
December 7, 2012