FOUR men were jailed for attacking a man in Uxbridge after he challenged their intimidating behaviour on a bus.

The assault last summer happened moments after he politely spoke to them about using abusive and offensive language in front of young children and families.

The victim was punched in the head and slashed on the neck with a knife.

Ethan Fredrick, 19, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 10 years at Isleworth Crown Court for affray, attempted GBH, possessing an offensive weapon and breaching his bail conditions.

Three other men were previously sentenced in February. They are Kieron Jordan Benoit, 23, of no fixed abode, who received 27 months for affray, Alex Hall, 20, of Scotts Road, Southall, who received two years for affray and theft (stealing the victim's jacket) and Iane John Anthony Lester, 23, of Wise Lane, West Drayton, who was sentenced to two years for affray.

It was in August last year that the victim, in his mid-20s, challenged the group's behaviour on the top deck of a rail replacement service bus from Eastcote to Uxbridge town centre.

They had been using racially offensive language and were swearing loudly in front of passengers of all ages, including young children.

He rose from his seat and politely asked them to consider their language as there were young people and families present. This was met with immediate anger from the group and he was ordered to sit down.

The victim got off the bus and walked along an alleyway from York Road. All four suspects got off and followed him. T he victim was confronted and circled by the four men before being punched on the head. The victim made an attempt to get away, but Frederick lunged at him with a knife, slashing him on the neck.

All four men fled the scene, leaving the victim injured.

Police and an ambulance were called by a passing member of the public.

Detectives retrieved crucial CCTV evidence at the scene, which captured the entire attack.

Images of all four suspects were immediately circulated to patrolling officers in Hillingdon on the morning of the assault. As a result, all four were located and arrested within hours.

Det Sgt Paul Matthews, said: "Justice has finally been handed to a brave victim who has shown nothing but humility throughout this investigation.

“We pay tribute to the strength and courage he showed and thank him for his assistance in providing crucial evidence to our team and the courts about this horrific attack.

“His defence of his fellow bus passengers and standing up to anti-social behaviour led to an attack which may have resulted in an even more dire outcome.

"Each suspect was arrested within hours, proving there was nowhere for them to hide."