Police Appeal After Homophobic Attack

8 May 2014, 11:27 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police have issued a photo of a man they want to speak to in connection with an unprovoked homophobic attack in Birmingham

 

The man’s injuries were so severe that he had to be re-admitted to hospital just a few days ago after he collapsed at a family funeral.

The 27-year-old had been out with a friend in the early hours of Thursday 17 April when a man approached them and became verbally abusive in Secrets Nightclub on Hurst Street.

They decided to leave the club because of this but were followed by the man who confronted them near to the Jester pub on Holloway Circus.

In an unprovoked attack the man was punched and fell to the floor where he lost consciousness for a short time and needed to be treated for a broken nose, cheekbone and eyesocket.

Officers investigating the assault have trawled CCTV and have issued an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the assault.

Detective Constable Elaine Dodd, from Birmingham’s Major Investigation Team, said: "We are dealing with this crime as a homophobic hate crime. The man was out with a friend and was approached by someone who hurled anti-gay abuse at him.

"He then followed him and attacked him. The man has been recovering from his injuries but collapsed at a family funeral a few days ago and as a result of the attack has a bleed on the brain.

"His family had booked a holiday for him in a hope that this would aid his recovery but it has had to be cancelled due to his relapse.

"This was a particularly vicious attack that left a man with serious injuries that he is still recovering from and I would appeal to anyone who saw the attack or can help identify this man to call me on 101."