Buttock-baring drunk steals Tonbridge schoolboy's basketball on bus

Kent Police are appealing for information following an incident in which a man behaved inappropriately on a bus, before stealing a schoolboy's basketball.

While waiting at the bus stop near Tonbridge Castle in the High Street, a 15-year-old boy said he saw a man try to board a number 7 bus. 

The man was said to have exposed his buttocks to the driver when he was not allowed aboard.

A short time later the boy and some friends boarded the number 77 bus from Tonbridge to Kings Hill and, while he was sat on the top deck, he saw the man again. 

The boy said the man swore at him and his friends, removed his false teeth, sat among the group and began showing them his teeth.

The man, who was possibly drunk, asked one of the boys on the bus whether he would like to put the false teeth in his mouth.

The man then demanded the 15-year-old boy's basketball and the boy handed it over. The offender left the bus at Hadlow and was seen running off down Carpenters Lane.

The incident happened between 4:18pm and 4:40pm on 11 January, 2013.

Kent Police's DS Simon Barnes has reviewed CCTV footage from the Arriva bus and would like to speak to the man pictured, or anyone who can identify him.

Witnesses said the offender was a slim, white man in his mid-30s with short hair. He had false teeth, a pierced tongue, and was wearing a grey cardigan and dark blue tracksuit trousers.

DS Barnes said: "No-one was significantly injured but this was an unpleasant episode for the victim and his friends. 

"We have made various attempts to identify the man pictured, who we would like to speak to in connection with the incident, and are now seeking the public's help in identifying him."

Anyone who can assist police with their enquiries can call 101, quoting crime number YY/773/13 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.