A “despicable” thug spat in the face of an elderly woman and kicked her husband in the head in front of shocked passengers on a Central Line Tube train.
After the man spat on the 77-year-old, her husband challenged him before being pushed to the floor and kicked in the head on the train from Bethnal Green on Saturday.
The thug left the train at Liverpool Street at around 10am and other travellers in the busy carriage rushed to help the couple.
Police said the man, 63, suffered minor injuries in the assault - including cuts and bruising to his face. His wife was not harmed.
British Transport Police described the attacker as a black man, of slim build and 6ft tall.
He had black hair tied in knots and was wearing dark grey baggy tracksuit trousers, a dirty grey jumper and dark trainers.
Investigating officer DC Alban Barnes said: “This was an utterly despicable assault.
"Neither of the victims provoked this man in any way and it beggar’s belief why he decided to assault them."
Anyone with information is asked to send a text to 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 231 of 06/05/2017. Alternatively, pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
