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Lambeth night bus attack: 26-year-old arrested after gang of laughing men kick woman unconscious following argument over her dress

Savage attack begun at 1.15am on Thursday when a group of men boarded a 344 bus to Clapham Junction at a stop on Lambeth Road

John Hall
Monday 02 December 2013 10:36 GMT
CCTV footage shows the woman unconscious on the floor of the bus
CCTV footage shows the woman unconscious on the floor of the bus

A man has been arrested after a gang "attacked" a woman on a south London night bus, reportedly in an argument over her dress.

The 26-year-old was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after attending a south London police station.

Prior to the arrest officers released a CCTV video of the savage attack, which begun at 1.15am on Thursday when a group of men boarded a 344 bus to Clapham Junction at a stop on Lambeth Road. The 22-year-old victim, who was unknown to the men, sat at the back of the bus with a friend.

The men are alleged to have made remarks about the dress one of the women was wearing and, after an exchange of words, one is believed poured a can of drink over her and pulled her hair.

As the woman reacted to the attack by attempting to stand up, she was allegedly pushed and kicked in the stomach. The force of the kick caused the woman to fall over and hit her head, leaving her unconscious. The gang got off at the next stop. An ambulance was called to the scene and the woman taken to hospital, where she was treated for a minor head wound and released later the same day.

Detective Constable Kyla Mulley, of Lambeth CID, said: “This was a shocking attack on a young woman, prompted by nothing more than a brief exchange of words.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call DC Mulley on 020 8649 2196 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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