British Transport Police have released CCTV images of a group of men they would like to speak to in connection with an assault on a Maidenhead couple last month.
Phil Poole, 35, and his boyfriend of three months Zbynek Zatloukal, 26, were travelling home to Maidenhead after a romantic meal in Reading.
Having both fallen asleep, with Mr Poole's head resting on Mr Zatlouka's shoulder, they missed their stop on the London bound Great Western Railway train.
A group of men boarded the train and approached the couple, waking Mr Poole with a punch to the face before beating his boyfriend, he claimed.
“They started smacking me on the face while I was still sat down,” Mr Poole said.
“I don't know how to defend myself. I was so out of it.
“Zybnek came round and tried to get them off me. He got the brunt of it all.
“They kicked him on the floor.”
The attackers fled when police arrived, leaving Mr Zybnek to be stretchered off the train followed by his boyfriend.
They were taken to Ealing Hospital where the 26 year-old, who works as a private chef for clients including Chelsea Football Club, was treated for a suspected broken eye socket.
Mr Poole lost two teeth in the attack.
“We are both very shaken still,” continued the ice skating coach.
“It is more the mental than the physical damage they have done to us.”
The assault is believed to have been motivated by homophobia and British Transport Police are keen to speak to any of the four men as part of their enquiry.
Anyone with any information is urged to call 0800 40 50 40 or text their information to 61016 quoting reference number 30 15/2/17.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article