A TEENAGER was violently attacked outside a train station in an unprovoked assault.

The 19-year-old was left with a head injury and sustained bruising and swelling after being set upon by by the man outside Southend Victoria station.

The victim, who spoke to the Echo with the understanding that we would only use his first name, checked himself into hospital but has since been discharged.

Rhyces said the thug punched him “eight or nine times”, leaving him with lumps on his head and a swollen lip.

The teenager, from Southend, said: “It was mostly on the left-hand side of my face.

“Another man pulled him off me, he hit him too.

“He was threatening everyone inside the station, both passers-by and staff on the barriers.

“I was just sitting on a bench. When he was shouting at everyone I asked him what the issue was.

“He then stood right over me. He tried to attack me again but I defended myself and he backed away.

“He loitered around afterwards before he run off.”

Dona, 39, Rhyces’ mum, added: “I’m so proud of him, he didn’t retaliate once.

“I was sat on a bench just playing on his phone.

“He was waiting for my friend to pick him up. He had been to the gym.

“The man, who was in his early 20s, had a blue cast on his hand. Witnesses have messaged me and said he was acting suspiciously when he got of the train.”

A spokesman from British Transport Police, urged anyone with information to come forward. She said: “Officers were called to Southend Victoria station at 5.30pm on March 9, following reports of an assault.

“The suspect left the scene before police arrival.” Contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 quoting reference 441 of 09/03/20.