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Train stabbing: Family pay tribute to Lee Pomeroy who was stabbed to death in a 'pointless attack' in Surrey

Married father-of-one described as 'honest bright person' who 'would always help somebody in trouble'

Colin Drury
Saturday 05 January 2019 08:44 EST
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Surrey train victim named as Lee Pomeroy

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The father-of-one who was stabbed to death on a train with his 14-year-old son nearby was an “honourable man" who "would always help somebody who was in trouble", his family have said.

Lee Pomeroy was preparing to celebrate his 52nd birthday when was knifed repeatedly during a “vicious fight” on board a Guildford to London service on Friday afternoon.

A suspect who fled the train at Horsley Station in Surrey was arrested in the Farnham area at 6am on Saturday morning, British Transport Police said. A 27-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

“Lee took his son on a trip to London hoping to spend some quality time with him which was cut short by a horrific and pointless attack," Mr Pomeroy's family said in a statement.

“Lee would have had his birthday today but did not get to see his presents. He was an honest, bright person, who loved music very much, he knew history and art and he was a bachelor of science in maths.

“He was devoted family man and did everything for his family. He was an honourable man and would always help somebody who was in trouble. He was a loving husband and father. He will be deeply missed.”

The family, from Guildford, asked for privacy as they attempted to come to terms with their loss.

Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan, of BTP, said no-one else was being sought in connection with killing following Saturday morning's arrests.

Flowers left at Horsley station after a train passenger stabbed to death in front of his 14-year-old son

He said: "We now know from enquiries we've been doing overnight and from witnesses that the two men were involved in a verbal discussion. That discussion lasted three to four minutes, it moved through one carriage from where they first boarded into another carriage, and that argument escalated to the unprovoked violent attack that sadly resulted in the death."

British Transport Police outline what happened on Guildford to London train when father was stabbed to death

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn, also of BTP, added: "Nothing justified the extraordinary violence that followed, and we are concentrating our efforts on the on-going investigation.”

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