Group of teens bash man at station after he glared at them for smoking

Herald Sun, AAP September 03, 2010 3:23PM

A MAN was attacked by a gang of teens at a Melbourne railway station, after he glared at them for smoking on the train - despite the presence of four Metro officers.

Acting Supt Nigel Howard from the police transit division described the unprovoked attack on a man, 38, as callous and cowardly, but said it could have been worse.

"Luck would have it there were four Metro officers on the train, which prevented further serious injuries because when they came to the aid of the victim these six offenders ran off," Supt Howard said.

But he conceded Metro officers can't always act on transit crime.

Police were told the man glared at two of the youths smoking in the second carriage of a Frankston-bound train as he got off at Malvern station about 9.40pm.

Once off the train the duo signalled to about four other boys and yelled for them to bash the Caulfield North man.

The victim, who was standing on platform two, ran at the group and tried to knock them over after he heard the youths urging each other to attack him.

The remaining three attackers dragged the man to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked him to the face, head and body.

"Callous is one word that comes to mind. Our victim has obviously taken offence - and rightfully so - that two youths, as we understand it, (were) smoking on trains and he has suffered as a result of it," Supt Howard said.

"The disturbing thing is that the youth of today put the boot in and it's not something we should have happen in society."

Supt Howard was adamant police will find the offenders, and urged them to come forward.

"I would like to think they have the courage to turn themselves into police, because we will find you, we will arrest you and you will appear in court.

"What are their parents doing about this?"

Multimedia designer Jordan Marquez said he was on the packed train when he saw two youths arguing with the man as he got off the train.

"He ran away from them and then a group of them just started bashing him," Mr Marquez, 24, said.

"It was despicable."

Mr Marquez said onlookers watched in horror.

"They pulled out their camera phones, took pictures, took video and called for help," he said.

From: http://www.news.com.au/national/group-of-teens-bash-man-at-station-after-he-glared-at-them-for-smoking/story-e6frfkvr-1225913708812