Musician still critical after row

Billy Leeson was punched in a row over his girlfriend

A promising musician remains in a critical condition after he was attacked by a fellow bus passenger.

Billy Leeson, 19, of Les Incompetents, was punched in the jaw causing him to fall and hit his head in Kentish Town, north London, on Thursday at 2300 BST.

A dispute had erupted after a man made "advances" to his girlfriend on the number 29 bus, police said.

The man followed the couple off the bus in Camden Road, near Brecknock Road, and assaulted Mr Leeson.

'Friendly guy'

He was taken to a central London hospital and treated for head injuries. A Scotland Yard spokesman said his condition was critical but stable.

Police said his attacker was white, about 28 years old, with dark hair and possibly an Australian accent. He was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.

Hopefully he will get better soon and when he does he has the potential to do whatever he puts his hand to Phil Halliday manager of Les Incompetents

Det Insp Lorraine Dillon made a direct appeal to his attacker to come forward, saying he may not have realised the severity of the attack at the time.

She said he had been laughing as he left the scene and may have bragged to his friends afterwards.

Phil Halliday, manager of Les Incompetents, said his family and friends were giving him a great deal of support.

"Hopefully he will get better soon and when he does he has the potential to do whatever he puts his hand to," he said.

Several messages of goodwill have been left on music community website Drowned in Sound where Mr Leeson is a regular feature.

Les Incompetents were due to play at the Wireless Festival last weekend and one member told BBC's 6 Music: "He's such a nice friendly guy and great fun to be around, so the fact that someone could do this to him is hard to understand."