A Good Samaritan from Colchester who tried to break up a fight on a train a week before Christmas ended up being assaulted himself.
The victim, 32, was travelling home from London when he tried to stop another passenger from being attacked.
But in doing so he was kicked to the floor and repeatedly punched.
He got off the train, which left London Liverpool Street just after 0.30am on Friday December 19, at Ilford and was again assaulted on the platform.
Officers from the British Transport Police have released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to in connection with the incident.
The assault happened around 12.50am.
Detective Constable Carl Wayte said: “I want to talk to the two men in the CCTV images I have issued.
“I believe they will have information that could help our investigation. I know they boarded the train at Liverpool Street just after half-past midnight, getting off at Ilford shortly before 1am.
“This was the Thursday night and Friday morning before Christmas, so the train and Ilford station could have been full of party-goers on their way home who might have seen something.
“If they did, or recognise the men in the photos, please contact the British Transport Police.”
Anyone with information on this incident should contact the British Transport Police on 0800 405040, or by text on 61016, quoting reference B3/ESUB of January 5 2015.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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