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All the latest breaking news crime in the UK and aboard. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Crime.

  • Two men wanted over a homophobic assault in London

    Police in London have released efits of two men they wish to speak to following a homophobic assault on two men in Lambeth.

    Two men wanted over a homophobic assault in London
    Police have released these e fits of two men they would like to question in connection to homophobic assaults on two men in Lambert, London.

    Detectives are appealing for witnesses after two men were assaulted in Lambeth in what detectives are treating as a homophobic hate crime.

    Officers have today released E-fits of two men they wish to identify and speak with.

    Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at around 00:50hrs on Sunday, 30 July to Windmill Walk, SE1 to a report of two men injured following an assault.

    The victims, aged 53 and 49, suffered facial injuries and were taken to a south London hospital for treatment. They have since been discharged.

    “Motivated by homophobia”

    The men told police that they were approached by a group of four males who launched an unprovoked attack which appeared to be motivated by homophobia. The suspects were all described as white and wearing hooded tops. One of them spoke with a strong Northern Irish accent.

    The assaults, in which one of the victims lost some teeth, are being treated as a suspected hate crime.

    An ambulance was called at 12.50 AM on Sunday, 30 July to Windmill Walk, SE1 to a report of two men injured following an assault.

    Detective Constable Matt Cockroft, from Lambeth CID, said, “This was a shocking attack on two men who were simply walking along the road.

    “I would urge anyone who recognises either of these men to contact us. I would also like to speak with anyone who witnessed the assault but has not yet to come forward.”

    No arrest made

    There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

    Any witnesses and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or Tweet via @MetCC.

    The Met have long since recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and the hidden nature of this crime, which remains largely under-reported. The MPS stands together with policing partners, colleagues and groups to investigate all hate crime allegations, support victims and their families, and bring perpetrators to justice.

    We would appeal to anyone who witnesses or suffers hate crime of any type to immediately report it so that action can quickly be taken and catch those responsible.

    Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app or through community reporting methods such as Tell MAMA, Galop, or the Community Security Trust [CST].

  • Convicted murderer from the 80s, jailed for second attempted murder of lover

    A convicted murderer has been jailed for the attempted murder of ANOTHER MAN after dating app hook up goes hideously wrong.

    • Peter Lund was originally convicted of a murder of man in 1980.

    • He was released in 2015.

    • Now he has been jailed for the attempted murder of another man he found on a dating app.

    Peter James Lund (09/01/1954) of Pett Level Road, Winchelsea Beach, East Sussex has been jailed for attempted murder after being found guilty at an earlier hearing.

    Dating App Meeting Gone Wrong

    In December 2016, Lund travelled to Manchester to see a man he met on a dating app and spent the evening with him, after taking him to a Chinese takeaway in his silver Jaguar.

    A few days later, Lund and the man spent the evening together watching television and making plans for New Year’s Eve before going to sleep.

    At around 6.15am the next morning, Wednesday 21 December, the man awoke to an extremely sharp pain in the right of his neck.

    He opened his eyes to see Lund standing over him holding a knife and, when he asked him in disbelief what he was doing, Lund professed it was his sharp fingernails that had caused the pain.

    The victim panicked, shouting at Lund to get off him and pushed him away but, as he did so, his neck was slashed and a struggle ensued with Lund grabbing the man’s shoulder before reaching into his mouth and pulling at his teeth with force.

    The struggle reached the kitchen area where Lund took a knife while the man fled to the bathroom to mop his wounds with a towel.

    Covered in blood

    With them both covered in blood and unclothed, the fight spilled out into the communal corridor with Lund brandishing the large serrated knife and chasing the man as he ran up and down, banging on other doors trying to escape the attack.

    Lund tried to drag him back into the flat but he was disarmed by the man who quickly got into a lift and ran to a nearby petrol station to raise the alarm.

    Lund ran back inside, cleaned himself up and fled around three minutes later in his Jaguar towards Great Yarmouth where he was arrested by officers, after a short manhunt, on suspicion of attempted murder.

    When under arrest, an officer told Lund, ‘I’m not saying you have done it, it’s just on suspicion,’ Lund quickly interjected and admitted the attack, saying ‘I’ve done it!’

    Previous murder

    Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, heard Lund had spent a large amount of his life in prison, having been convicted of murder in 1980 after he bludgeoned another man to death in his bed.

    He has today, Wednesday 30 August 2017, been jailed for 27 years.

    Harrowing

    Detective Constable Tom Munnery of GMP’s City of Manchester team said,

    “This vicious and savage attack on a sleeping man is absolutely stomach-turning with the only consolation being Lund will be in prison for a considerable time.

    “In what was clearly a harrowing situation, the victim thought fast to raise the alarm and ensure Lund was found and put behind bars.

    “Having to relive these events through the court case has been no mean feat but the bravery and strength shown by the victim is truly commendable. My thanks goes to him for his courage and my thoughts will remain with him as he recovers from the emotional and physical scars he has had to endure.”

    Extra reporting: Greater Manchester Police

  • Man who stabbed his boyfriend in the neck as he slept is jailed

    A convicted murderer has been jailed for the attempted murder of ANOTHER MAN after dating app hook up goes hideously wrong.

    Peter Lund was originally convicted of a murder of man in 1980.

    He was released in 2015.

    Now he has been jailed for the attempted murder of another man he found on a dating app.

     

    Peter James Lund (09/01/1954) of Pett Level Road, Winchelsea Beach, East Sussex has been jailed for attempted murder after being found guilty at an earlier hearing.

    Dating App Meeting Gone Wrong

    In December 2016, Lund travelled to Manchester to see a man he met on a dating app and spent the evening with him, after taking him to a Chinese takeaway in his silver Jaguar.

    A few days later, Lund and the man spent the evening together watching television and making plans for New Year’s Eve before going to sleep.

    At around 6.15am the next morning, Wednesday 21 December, the man awoke to an extremely sharp pain in the right of his neck.

    He opened his eyes to see Lund standing over him holding a knife and, when he asked him in disbelief what he was doing, Lund professed it was his sharp fingernails that had caused the pain.

    The victim panicked, shouting at Lund to get off him and pushed him away but, as he did so, his neck was slashed and a struggle ensued with Lund grabbing the man’s shoulder before reaching into his mouth and pulling at his teeth with force.

    The struggle reached the kitchen area where Lund took a knife while the man fled to the bathroom to mop his wounds with a towel.

    Covered in blood

    With them both covered in blood and unclothed, the fight spilled out into the communal corridor with Lund brandishing the large serrated knife and chasing the man as he ran up and down, banging on other doors trying to escape the attack.

    Lund tried to drag him back into the flat but he was disarmed by the man who quickly got into a lift and ran to a nearby petrol station to raise the alarm.

    Lund ran back inside, cleaned himself up and fled around three minutes later in his Jaguar towards Great Yarmouth where he was arrested by officers, after a short manhunt, on suspicion of attempted murder.

    When under arrest, an officer told Lund, ‘I’m not saying you have done it, it’s just on suspicion,’ Lund quickly interjected and admitted the attack, saying ‘I’ve done it!’

    Previous murder

    Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, heard Lund had spent a large amount of his life in prison, having been convicted of murder in 1980 after he bludgeoned another man to death in his bed.

    He has today, Wednesday 30 August 2017, been jailed for 27 years.

    Harrowing

    Detective Constable Tom Munnery of GMP’s City of Manchester team said,

    “This vicious and savage attack on a sleeping man is absolutely stomach-turning with the only consolation being Lund will be in prison for a considerable time.

    “In what was clearly a harrowing situation, the victim thought fast to raise the alarm and ensure Lund was found and put behind bars.

    “Having to relive these events through the court case has been no mean feat but the bravery and strength shown by the victim is truly commendable. My thanks goes to him for his courage and my thoughts will remain with him as he recovers from the emotional and physical scars he has had to endure.”

    Extra reporting: Greater Manchester Police

  • Police are searching for this man after a “homophobic” attack outside a Newcastle pub

    Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to, after a cleaner was attacked outside a Newcastle city centre pub.

    At around 8.45AM on the morning of Monday, July 17, police received a report that the 36-year-old man had been assaulted by a male passing the Union Rooms pub on Westgate Road.

    There has been a verbal altercation between the pair during which homophobic abuse was hurled at the cleaner. He has then been punched in the face.

    Victim left with broken teeth and needing stitches

    Enquiries are ongoing into the assault that left the victim with broken teeth and stitches in his bottom lip. It has also been recorded as a hate crime.

    Now police are releasing an image of a man they want to speak to about the assault. He could help officers with their enquiries.

    The man, or anyone who recognises him, should contact police on 101 quoting log 225 17/07/17 or by emailing the OIC on 8231@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.

  • Man jailed for 26 years after Hyde Park murder

    A man who violently attacked and killed a gay man in Hyde Park has been jailed for 26 years.

    Hani Khalaf, 22 (8.11.94) of no fixed address was sentenced on Thursday, 24 August at the Old Bailey with a recommendation he serves a minimum of 26 years for the murder of Jairo Medina.

    Khalaf had been found guilty on Friday, 11 August after standing trial for the murder of 62-year-old Mr Medina.

    The jury heard how on a summer’s night in August 2016 Mr Medina, a Colombian national, was brutally attacked, robbed and left to die.

    Mr Medina, who worked as a residential carer and was described by his colleagues as the best carer they ever had, left his home in Chelsea on 11 August 2016 telling his brother he was popping out to get some fresh air and would be back later.

    He took a bus to the Marble Arch area and was captured on CCTV at around 23:00hrs in a convenience store in the company of Khalaf.

    The two bought some items, left the store and then made their way into Hyde Park. It is unknown precisely what happened while Mr Medina and Khalaf were in the park but at some point Khalaf turned on his victim.

    Mr Medina suffered severe injuries after being punched and kicked by Khalaf, resulting in numerous broken bones including fractured ribs and trauma to his head.

    Vicious and violent attack

    A post-mortem examination on 13 August at Westminster Mortuary gave cause of death as blunt force trauma.

    As Mr Medina lay dying on the ground, Khalaf stole his rucksack and fled the scene. He rifled through the bag, emptying and dropping a wallet as well as taking a mobile phone. He left a trail of abandoned items as he hastily made his escape, heading in the direction of Speakers Corner.

    At 00:44hrs on 12 August Khalaf boarded a bus from Edgware Road and got off moments later further along the road.

    Shortly before 02:30hrs Khalaf was captured on CCTV again in Edgware Road, making his way back to Marble Arch but by this time had changed most of his clothing, keeping his shoes, belt and watch.

    The next sighting of Khalaf was at 05:11hrs as he boarded a bus to Streatham and travelled all the way to the end of the line. Nine minutes after arriving in Streatham he boarded a bus heading in the opposite direction, where he eventually got off at Regent Street shortly before 07:00hrs.

    Whilst Khalaf was riding the bus network, a Hyde Park groundsman came across Mr Medina’s body near the mosaic to commemorate The Reformers’ Tree at around 05:45hrs. Police were called and Mr Medina was pronounced dead at the scene. A murder investigation was launched.

    Approximately 12 hours after the vicious attack Khalaf made his way to a mobile and computer shop in Kilburn where he tried to sell Mr Medina’s phone. The store tested the phone but refused to buy it as it had a cracked screen and Khalaf left.

    Detectives carried out enquiries and established that Mr Medina’s phone had been activated in the store. They were able to obtain CCTV footage of Khalaf there.

    Six days later Khalaf was arrested for an unrelated matter. Officers immediately recognised him as the person who was with Mr Medina prior to his death and Khalaf was arrested for murder.

    A forensic examination of Khalaf’s clothing revealed Mr Medina’s DNA on his watch and belt. Khalaf’s DNA was also found on the rucksack abandoned at the scene.

    Khalaf was subsequently charged.

    Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said,

    “Jairo Medina was a kind and gentle man who dedicated his life to caring for others. On that evening in August last year, he went out to socialise in the Hyde Park area. There he encountered Hani Khalaf, who was to viciously assault and rob him before leaving him to die in a remote part of the park. We are pleased that such a dangerous individual is now in custody for what he did and hopefully this may be of some comfort to Jairo’s family and friends.

    “We believe that robbery was the motive behind the murder. In the very early stages of the investigation we realised that Jairo was an openly gay man who liked to socialise in and around Hyde Park. Our investigation received a lot of support and assistance from representatives of the LGBT community who work alongside the local police in Westminster. I would like to acknowledge their support in helping us achieve justice.”

  • Man given lifetime ban from entering Manchester’s Gay Village

    A man who robbed and left his victims unconscious has been slapped with a lifetime ban from entering Manchester’s gay village and handed a long jail sentence.

    A man who targetted victims in Manchester’s gay village has been jailed today after pleading guilty to six counts of robbery and one count of theft from a person at an earlier hearing.

    Mason Shaw (01/07/1996) of Sharples Hall Street, Oldham was sentenced to 8 years and 9 months with an extended licence of 4 years and 3 months. at Manchester Crown Court.

    Shaw has also been given a lifetime Criminal Behavioural Order, preventing him from entering Manchester’s gay village.

    In September 2016, police received their first report that Shaw had robbed a man in Oldham.

    Between this incident in September and 10 December 2016, Shaw has committed a further six robberies, targeting people predominately around Manchester’s gay village.

    The court heard how Shaw would seek out people from this area, isolating them from the crowd, before strangling them until they lost consciousness.

    At this point he would rob them before leaving his victims to come around.

    Detective Constable Jonathan Barnett of GMP’s City of Manchester borough, said,

    “Shaw has committed a number of robberies, clearly targeting members of the gay community, brutally taking their possessions from them.

    “I cannot imagine what Shaw’s victims must have gone through, being robbed and abandoned in such a terrifying way.

    “Given the nature of these robberies, I am grateful that we’ve been able to secure such a long sentence for his heinous crimes.

    “Today’s result hopefully goes some way to reinforce that violent crime, of any kind, will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.”

    This article has been amended. A previous version noted a different address and a different extended license.

  • Man wanted for questioning in connection to the disappearance of gay man turns himself in

    A 26-year-old man wanted for questioning in relation to the disappearance of a gay man has turned himself into the authorities.

    Cousins allegedly use dating app lure gay men to their deaths

    Jerret Jamal Allen (right), 26, had been sought by police over the disappearance of a university student, Vinh Nguyen who has been missing since 31st March. Allen was allegedly seen in April using the missing student’s credit cards. His body has not been recovered and investigators presume that he is dead.

    Terrebonne sheriff’s Capt. Kody Voisin said that Mr Allen turned himself on Sunday.

    The younger of the two cousins, Brandon Alexander Lyons, 18, of Houston, Texas has already been charged with capital murder in connection with the death of a 44-year-old nurse. The body of Glenser Soliman was found in February. Lyons has been jailed and his bond set at $200,000. Soliman was reported missing on the 16th February. He was found 9 days later.

    Detectives have not disclosed which app it is thought was being used, but think that the pair colluded to target Asian men and that there may be other victims.

    A statement from the Anti-Violence Project mourned the loss of the two victims saying,

    “We mourn the loss of Glenser Soliman and An Vinh Nguyen, who likely lost their lives to hook-up violence, a form of violence that we need to talk about more and address in our LGBTQ communities.

    Homophobia is a key factor the targeting of gay men for robbery and violence, and so far in 2017 we have seen an increase in pick-up homicides. As our communities move online we need awareness raising about this form of violence, affirming messages around sex, sexuality and safety, and safe spaces for our communities to meet and hook up.”

     

    The mother of Allen said to ABC13,

    “Like I said, it does not sound like my son, The only thing that I can tell you is it does

    The only thing that I can tell you is it does not sound nothing like my nephew and nothing like my son. Okay.”

     

     

     

  • MURDERER: Man found guilty of murdering a gay man in London

    A man who violently attacked his victim and left him for dead in a central London park has been found guilty of murder, he is to be sentenced later this month.

    Hani Khalaf, 22 (8.11.94), of no fixed address, was found guilty on Friday, 11 August of the murder of 62-year-old Jairo Medina following a trial at the Old Bailey.

    He will appear at the same court for sentencing on Thursday, 24 August.

    The jury heard how on a summer’s night in August 2016 Mr Medina, a Colombian national, was brutally attacked, robbed and left to die in Hyde Park.

    Mr Medina, who worked as a residential carer and was described by his colleagues as the best carer they ever had, left his home in Chelsea on 11 August 2016 telling his brother he was popping out to get some fresh air and would be back later.

    He took a bus to the Marble Arch area and was captured on CCTV at around 23:00hrs in a convenience store in the company of Khalaf.

    The two bought some items, left the store and then made their way into Hyde Park. It is unknown precisely what happened while Mr Medina and Khalaf were in the park but at some point Khalaf turned on his victim.

    Blunt Force Trauma

    Mr Medina suffered severe injuries after being punched and kicked by Khalaf, resulting in numerous broken bones including fractured ribs and trauma to his head.

    A post-mortem examination on 13 August at Westminster Mortuary gave cause of death as blunt force trauma.

    As Mr Medina lay dying on the ground, Khalaf stole his rucksack and fled the scene. He rifled through the bag, emptying and dropping a wallet as well as taking a mobile phone. He left a trail of abandoned items as he hastily made his escape, heading in the direction of Speakers Corner.

    At 00:44hrs on 12 August Khalaf boarded a bus from Edgware Road and got off moments later further along the road.

    Shortly before 02:30hrs Khalaf was captured on CCTV again in Edgware Road, making his way back to Marble Arch but by this time had changed most of his clothing, keeping his shoes, belt and watch.

    The next sighting of Khalaf was at 05:11hrs as he boarded a bus to Streatham and travelled all the way to the end of the line. Nine minutes after arriving in Streatham he boarded a bus heading in the opposite direction, where he eventually got off at Regent Street shortly before 07:00hrs.

    Grim Discovery

    Whilst Khalaf was riding the bus network, a Hyde Park groundsman came across Mr Medina’s body near the mosaic to commemorate The Reformers’ Tree at around 05:45hrs. Police were called and Mr Medina was pronounced dead at the scene. A murder investigation was launched.

    Approximately 12 hours after the vicious attack Khalaf made his way to a mobile and computer shop in Kilburn where he tried to sell Mr Medina’s phone. The store tested the phone but refused to buy it as it had a cracked screen and Khalaf left.

    Detectives carried out enquiries and established that Mr Medina’s phone had been activated in the store. They were able to obtain CCTV footage of Khalaf there.

    Arrested for other crimes

    Six days later Khalaf was arrested for an unrelated matter. Officers immediately recognised him as the person who was with Mr Medina prior to his death and Khalaf was arrested for murder.

    A forensic examination of Khalaf’s clothing revealed Mr Medina’s DNA on his watch and belt. Khalaf’s DNA was also found on the rucksack abandoned at the scene.

    Khalaf was subsequently charged.

    Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said,

    “Jairo Medina was a kind and gentle man who dedicated his life to caring for others. On that evening in August last year, he went out to socialise in the Hyde Park area. There he encountered Hani Khalaf, who was to viciously assault and rob him before leaving him to die in a remote part of the park. We are pleased that such a dangerous individual is now in custody for what he did and hopefully this may be of some comfort to Jairo’s family and friends.

    “We believe that robbery was the motive behind the murder.

    “In the very early stages of the investigation we realised that Jairo was an openly gay man who liked to socialise in and around Hyde Park. Our investigation received a lot of support and assistance from representatives of the LGBT community who work alongside the local police in Westminster. I would like to acknowledge their support in helping us achieve justice today.”

    Report from The Metropolitan Police

  • Cousins allegedly use dating app lure gay men to their deaths

    Two cousins from Texas have allegedly used a dating app to lure gay men to their deaths, authorities say.Cousins allegedly use dating app lure gay men to their deaths

    The younger of the two cousins, Brandon Alexander Lyons, 18, of Houston, Texas has been charged with capital murder in connection with the death of a 44-year-old nurse. The body of Glenser Soliman was found in February. Lyons has been jailed and his bond set at $200,000. Soliman was reported missing on the 16th February. He was found 9 days later.

    Jerret Jamal Allen, 26, is being sought by police over the disappearance of a university student, Vinh Nguyen who has been missing since 31st March. Allen was reportedly seen in April using the missing student’s credit cards. His body has not been recovered and investigators presume that he is dead.

    Detectives have not disclosed which app it is thought the cousins were using, but think that the pair colluded to target Asian men and that there may be other victims.

    A statement from the Anti-Violence Project mourned the loss of the two victims saying,

    “We mourn the loss of Glenser Soliman and An Vinh Nguyen, who likely lost their lives to hook-up violence, a form of violence that we need to talk about more and address in our LGBTQ communities.

    Homophobia is a key factor the targeting of gay men for robbery and violence, and so far in 2017 we have seen an increase in pick-up homicides. As our communities move online we need awareness raising about this form of violence, affirming messages around sex, sexuality and safety, and safe spaces for our communities to meet and hook up.”

     

    The mother of Allen, said to ABC13,

    “Like I said, it does not sound like my son, The only thing that I can tell you is it does

    The only thing that I can tell you is it does not sound nothing like my nephew and nothing like my son. Okay.”

     

     

     

  • Man left with serious facial injuries after homophobic assault

    A young man has been left with “serious” facial injuries after a homophobic hate crime in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

    Man left with serious facial injuries after homophobic assault

    A 22-year-old man in Glasgow was attacked whilst walking with a friend on Kersland Street near to Great Western Road in the early morning on Wednesday. His friend was allegedly subjected to homophobic abuse by another man who they did not know.

    The attack comes just a week before Glasgow Pride which is due to take place in the city centre.

    When the victim tried to intervene he was reportedly attacked by the suspect. The victim was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where his injuries were treated.

    The suspect is described as white and in his early 20s and wearing a black top with black tracksuit bottoms.

    He was accompanied by a woman in her early 20s, 5ft6 in height and with shoulder length blonde hair.

    They were last seen walking east along Great Western Road.

    Detective Constable Stuart McDonald from Drumchapel CID said,

    “This despicable individual not only subjected an innocent man to homophobic abuse, but also assaulted his friend when he came to his aid.

    “This type of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and I would appeal to anyone who either witnessed the incident, or saw the man and woman described above, to please get in touch.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Drumchapel CID via 101 and quote incident number 0268 of Wednesday 9th August 2017.

    Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.

  • More LGBT+ people have been killed in the US so far this year than in 2016

    Only 8 months in and 2017 has beaten 2016 for the number of LGBT+ people killed, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reports.

    A worrying report from The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) reveals that 2017 has been one of the deadliest years for single-event killings of LGBT+ people in the US.

    In 2016, excluding the terrorist attack on the Pulse nightclub, which killed 49 people, 28 LGBT+ people were killed in homicides. So far in 2017, there have been 33 killings.

    The number equates to one death every fortnight and includes the killings of 15 transgender women and 12 gay men.

    The report was initially carried by Buzzfeed News, which noted the Anti-Violence Project (AVP) Executive Director, Beverly Tiller said the stark figures should be viewed as a “wake-up call”.

    Speaking to Buzzfeed, AVP’s Executive Director, Beverly Tillery said, “It should be a wake-up call for us across our communities that hate violence is not going away.”

    The NCAVP says there is no obvious explanation for the increase but suggests that it could be down to better reporting by the media, better identification methods by investigators and police and perhaps – more violence towards the LGBT+ community. It is also noted that not all homicides of LGBT+ people are counted as hate crimes – due to different categorizations in each State – meaning that there could be many more killings which are not being counted.