THE family of a Guildford father, who was killed in a violent assault on board a train in Surrey on Friday afternoon (January 4), have paid tribute to him on what would have been his 52nd birthday.

Lee Pomeroy, 51, was stabbed multiple times following an altercation on-board a Guildford to London Waterloo train at around 1pm.

The married father of one, was on his way into London with his 14-year-old son for a day out when the deadly incident happened.

Police arrested a 35 year old man in Farnham early on Saturday (January 5), at an address near the Farnham Centre for Health off Hale Road, on suspicion of murder.

Later on Saturday, the victim Mr Pomeroy’s family paid tribute to their loved one, saying: “Lee took his son on a trip to London hoping to spend some quality time with him which was cut short by an horrific and pointless attack.

“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 a 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 by all his family.”

The family are appealing for privacy at this difficult time as they come to terms with their loss.

Mr Pomeroy died after suffering multiple knife wounds during what police described as an act of "extraordinary violence" on board the 12.58pm Guildford to London Waterloo service on Friday afternoon.

According to the police, the victim, his son and the attacker all boarded the train at London Road station in Guildford at about 1pm. However, police believe the pair were not known to each other.

Just 15 minutes later, British Transport Police (BTP) and Surrey Police were called to Horsley station at 1.15pm following reports of a serious stabbing on board the South Western Railways train.

"Tragically as a result of this stabbing, a man believed to be 51-years-old, was pronounced dead on board the train," said Superintendent Paul Langley from BTP.

He continued: "Early indications suggest he received multiple stab wounds to his body.

"Traumatically, the victims son would have been nearby when his father was fatally wounded. This would have been an horrific and hugely traumatic event to have witnessed and we are providing him with as much support as possible."

Police initially focussed their enquiries into the killing on the Clandon area where the suspect left the train.

However, BTP confirmed early on Saturday (January 5) that "at around 6am, officers attended an address in the Farnham area where the man was detained on suspicion of murder".

The suspect was earlier described as a black man, aged in his 20s to 30s, approximately 6ft tall and of slim build with a beard, believed to be dressed all in black with white trainers.

A 27-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The Herald understands the arrests took place in a block of flats near Farnham Hospital, after an eye-witness reported seeing three police cars parked outside a home near the Farnham Centre for Health early on Saturday.

TV crews and reporters from the national press gathered in large numbers in the area following the arrests.

DCI Sam Blackburn, also from BTP, said: “This is a fast moving investigation and I am pleased that overnight we were able to arrest a man following a huge amount of police enquiries.

“The investigation is moving with good progress and we are now confident to say that this is not believed to be a random assault. In the moments leading to the violent killing, both men appeared to be involved in an altercation lasting three minutes.

“Nothing justified the extraordinary violence that followed, and we are concentrating our efforts on the on-going investigation.”

The family of the 51 year old victim are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers. A post mortem examination is scheduled for early next week.

DCI Blackburn, added: “We are continuing our appeal for information and I would urge anyone who was on board the train to contact us as soon as possible. Even if you did not witness the assault, it is vitally important we speak with you. Likewise, if you have any dashcam footage of the Clandon area after 1pm yesterday afternoon, we would like to hear from you.”

You can contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 210 of 04/01/2019.