Fare-row thug sprays guard’s face with ‘acid’

A train guard was sprayed in the face with what is thought to be acid-like liquid after he asked two youths to pay extra for sitting in first class.

The 37-year-old was left feeling sick and with temporarily blurred vision after the attack as the pair got off the South West Trains service at Clapham Junction. He had asked them to pay a £5 upgrade, but they refused and argued.

One of the youths allegedly sprayed a liquid into the guard's face from a sports drink bottle. The pair then fled.

Two sisters nearby were also splashed with a small amount of the liquid, causing temporary skin irritation.

An off-duty police officer arrested a 17-year-old, from Norwood, who was released on police bail until 9 November.

British Transport Police (0800 40 50 40) want to identify a youth, caught on the train's CCTV with a bottle and a bag which may have hidden it, over the attack.