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Do you know this man? CCTV images issued after attack leaves 14-year-old boy with bloodied nose ^ Fratton/Cosham, Hants

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are appealing for information after an attack on a train between Fratton and Cosham left a 14-year-old boy with a bloodied nose.

Officers have also released CCTV images of one of the men they want to identify and speak to in connection with the incident, which took place around 9pm on Friday, 17 February.

The 14-year-old victim, from Drayton, had travelled on a train towards Fratton with two other boys, aged 13, and a young girl.

Two men boarded the train at Fratton and began making lewd comments towards the young girl. When the victim asked the men to stop he was struck several times around the face, leaving him with a bloodied nose.

The two other boys were also grabbed, pushed and threatened by the men when the train arrived at Cosham.

The boys left the train and reported the incident to officers at the station but the men had fled the scene. An area search was conducted but the men could not be located.

PC Rob Darkin, based at Portsmouth BTP station on Commercial Road, said: ^This was a deeply unpleasant and nasty attack on a young boy who was clearly unable to defend himself. While his friends were unharmed, their experience was equally distressing and we will do everything we can to locate those responsible.

^We want to identify the man pictured in the CCTV images and speak to him in connection with this incident. If you recognise him and can tell us who he is, please get in touch.^

Anyone with information should contact BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B3/LSA of 12/03/12.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.