by Alex Wellman Brutal thugs broke a teenager s jaw during a vicious attack in a tube station during the rush hour. The 19-year-old victim, from Willesden, was also cut and bruised during the assault in Swiss Cottage Tube Station in Avenu

by Alex Wellman

Brutal thugs broke a teenager's jaw during a vicious attack in a tube station during the rush hour.

The 19-year-old victim, from Willesden, was also cut and bruised during the assault in Swiss Cottage Tube Station in Avenue Road, Swiss Cottage, yesterday. He was taken to hospital where he remains.

The teenager was waiting in the ticket hall at around 5pm when the yobs approached him and demanded money before one of the group punched him in the face.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "We believe the victim was approached by around five men who are described as white and around 19 years of age.

"Two of the group demanded money from the victim before one of them punched him, breaking his jaw. The group then fled the station through Exit 1.

"We are reviewing CCTV from the station and making local enquiries and are also keen to hear from any witnesses to the incident or anyone who has any information which may assist our investigation."

One of the suspects is described as white, 19-years-old, 6ft 2ins tall, with a medium build and a shaved head.

Anyone who was at the station at the time of the incident is asked to contact BTP on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident 460 of 11/5/09.

alex.wellman@archant.co.uk