Four charged after man set alight

Four teenagers have been charged after a sleeping man's beard was set alight on a train leaving him with third-degree burns to his face.

British Transport Police said two boys, 13 and 14, and two men, 18 and 19, were accused of causing GBH with intent.

The 21-year-old victim was attacked in Sussex on the 1850 GMT Brighton to Littlehampton service on 7 December.

The four teenagers have been bailed to appear before magistrates in Worthing on 21 January.

Collection for victim

The victim was treated in a specialist burns unit last month after being found unconscious on the floor of the train.

Police said he had suffered "full thickness burn injuries" during the serious assault.

Full thickness burns, or third-degree burns, involve the whole thickness of the skin.

The two men facing charges are Dean Hardy, 19, of Grace Road, Crawley, and Aedan Palmer, 18, of Tower Road, Lancing.

The two boys cannot be named for legal reasons.

Det Ch Insp Gareth Williams said people in Lancing had made a collection for the victim.

Post office customers had contributed £75 and given the money to police officers.

Mr Williams said: "This was a generous donation by the community of Lancing and the monies have been passed on to the victim."