A 30-YEAR-OLD man who slapped a Lewisham woman across the face in an unprovoked assault on the Tube has been sentenced.

Andrew Patterson, from Westminster, slapped the 27-year-old passenger as he walked past her on board a Bakerloo Line train on April 8 at around 9.30am.

He then continued walking along the carriage and was arrested by officers on the platform at Baker Street.

Patterson pleaded guilty to common assault at Southwark Crown Court on June 11 where he was handed an 18-month community order and an 18-month supervision order.

Investigating officer Police Constable James Finch from British Transport Police said: "This was a cowardly and unprovoked assault that left the victim visibly distressed and upset.

"Andrew Patterson’s behaviour was completely unacceptable and is not tolerated on the rail network."