Boy, 16, attacked by four men after asking them to stop sectarian songs

A TEENAGER was assaulted by four men after he asked a group to stop singing sectarian songs on a train in Glasgow, police revealed yesterday.

The 16-year-old was attacked on the train between Glasgow Central and Barrhead stations on Saturday and had to be taken to hospital.

British Transport Police have now launched a hunt for the men responsible after the incident happened shortly after the 4.42pm train to Kilmarnock left Glasgow.

Police said yesterday that it appears that words were exchanged between the teenager and the group of men after they were confronted over their singing of the songs. The teenager was then punched in the head and body and a bottle was thrown.

When the train reached Barrhead the four men believed to be responsible got off the train and left the station in the direction of the town’s Carlibar Road.

The victim was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and released after treatment for cuts to his head and face.

CCTV footage from the train has been obtained and examined by police in an effort to identify those involved.

Nil By Mouth campaign director Dave Scott last night condemned the attack.

“Sadly, we are all too familiar with this type of sectarian behaviour on our rail network and these so-called ‘fans’ feel they are ‘untouchable’ travelling in packs,” he said

“This type of behaviour has no place in 21st century Scotland and we need anyone with information to contact the police immediately.”

It was announced last month that BTP was to become the first police force in Scotland to provide all its officers and support staff with dedicated anti-sectarianism training.

The project is being run in partnership with Nil by Mouth, just as controversial new Scottish Government legislation aimed at tackling sectarian and offensive behaviour at football matches was passed.

Detective Constable Raymond Grimley, the officer in charge of the enquiry, yesterday appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said: “This was a violent and unsavoury incident leaving other passengers on the train shocked.

“Although we have very clear CCTV footage of those involved, I am urging anyone who was on the train or at the station and has knowledge of the identity of those suspected of the assault to contact BTP as a matter of urgency.”

The group of men are all described as being aged in their mid-20s.

One was wearing a grey striped football top with green sleeves. A second man is described as being around 6-feet tall with blond hair.

Another of those involved had short brown hair and was around 5ft 8in, of heavy build and wearing a green and white football top, black tracksuit trousers and training shoes.

The fourth man is described as being about 5ft 11in, of thin build, with short brown hair. He was wearing a black jacket and navy trousers.