Man Arrested After Assault at Costa Coffee in Horley

Police were called to Horley on Saturday morning (18 January) following reports of a concern for safety involving a man behaving erratically in a public area. Officers were first alerted at 9.41am after members of the public reported seeing a man wearing only boxer shorts jumping in and out of a pond in the Riverside […]

Police were called to Horley on Saturday morning (18 January) following reports of a concern for safety involving a man behaving erratically in a public area.

Officers were first alerted at 9.41am after members of the public reported seeing a man wearing only boxer shorts jumping in and out of a pond in the Riverside area of Horley. The man was later seen entering a Costa Coffee nearby.

While inside the café, a woman was assaulted. She was taken to hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

At around 10.14am, police arrested a 42-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has since been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Eastern Divisional Duty Inspector Raf Alvarez said:

“We were called to reports of an assault in Horley. The male was swiftly located and arrested.

“I would like to take this opportunity to appeal for anyone who has witnessed this incident to get in touch.”

Police say investigations are ongoing to establish where the man lives, with initial enquiries suggesting he is not from the local area.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Sussex Police, quoting reference SYP-20261801-0193.