THEGAYUK

Tag: Crime

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

  • Eight Artworks Stolen From Winter Pride

    Eight artworks by the artists Jane Moore and Eleanor Pearce were stolen over the weekend at the annual Winter Pride.

    The artworks were stolen off the exhibition wall of the ‘John Sizzle and A Man to Pet Cabaret Room’ (Great Gallery upstairs) at Tobacco Dock, in London, during the Winter Pride Art Awards 2014.

    Three men were seen removing the artworks between 2am and 3am.

    Winter Pride has given a description of the men: one man dressed in all black, the other man was aged between 30-45, 5’9″ bald with thick rimmed glasses.

    Simon Tarrant the organiser of the event said,

    ‘The artists are devastated,

    ‘Please help us recover these artworks, we just want to get them back to Jane and Eleanor.’

    Anyone with information should contact Simon on the email: info@simontarrant.com

  • UK Leaflet: The Judgement Of God on Homosexualism Reveals Itself In AIDS

    An Anti-gay and abortion leaflet has left residents in Ely, Cambridge shocked and outraged.

    The leaflet which is titled Works of Darkness has been put through the doors of houses in Ely.

    Cambridgeshire Police have been notified.

    The leaflet contains paragraphs on fornication, contraception, euthanasia, homosexualism/lesbianism and divorce.

    For homosexuality, it reads: ‘Homosexuality is not inborn, it is a development disorder, a traumatised condition arising out of a dysfunctional family, or it is a lifestyle choice.

    ‘It is utterly opposed to the law of God and to nature, and should in no way be condoned or promoted.

    ‘Also, the adoption of children by gays and lesbians constitutes a form of child abuse. The judgement of God on homosexualism reveals itself in the AIDS/HIV virus.”

    According to Ely-News.co.uk one resident said, “I came home to find this vulgar, offensive thing on my doormat.

    ‘I find it extremely disturbing and I have reported it to the police. Whoever is responsible for delivering them needs to be dealt with immediately’

    Another resident said: I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I think whoever is responsible for these leaflets should be prosecuted by the police.’

    This is one of a number of leaflets that have been delivered to residents around the UK. In August residents in Brighton were outraged when similar hateful leaflets were delivered through their doors.

    A Spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police said, ‘Leaflets of a homophobic nature were distributed in Cambridge earlier this year. Additionally, similar material has been distributed in other areas of the county and indeed, the country.

    ‘Whilst it is acknowledged that many recipients will be offended by the leaflet’s content, Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights gives individuals the right to Freedom of Expression – the right to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideals without interference by public authority. This includes opinions which may offend, irritate, shock or disturb.

    ‘While the material being distributed earlier this week will in many cases offend, irritate, shock or disturb, the content, context and actions of the male concerned fall short of any criminality at this time.

    ‘We will however continue to monitor the situation both locally and nationally. Anyone who is approached or receives any of this literature should contact police by calling 101.’

  • Second Man Arrested After Homophobic Attack In London

    Second Man Arrested After Homophobic Attack In London

    Police have confirmed that a second man has now been arrested in connection to an assault in London on two gay men.

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  • Two Men Injured In Halloween Homophobic Attack In London

    Officers in Kingston Borough are appealing for witnesses and information following a homophobic attack on two men in Surbiton in the early hours of Saturday morning, 1 November.

    Police were called at around 01:20hrs that day to reports of males fighting outside the KFC restaurant in Brighton Road, Surbiton.

    Officers attended and found a 21-year-old man [victim1] suffering a head injury.

    London Ambulance Service attended and the man was taken to a hospital. He has since been discharged.

    A second man with the victim, aged 18 [victim2], was also suffering minor facial injuries.

    The Community Safety Unit on Kingston Borough is investigating and is treating the attack as a homophobic hate crime.

    At this early stage, it is understood both victims were walking along Victoria Road and as they passed a group of two men and three women outside the YMCA they were subjected to homophobic abuse from one of the two men.

    The two victims walked away but when they reached the zebra crossing nearby the two men [suspects 1 and 2] approached them and ‘victim 2’ was punched.

    ‘Victim1’ intervened to protect ‘Victim2’ and the suspects then assaulted him.

    ‘Victim1′ ended up on the floor where the suspects kicked and stamped on him.

    Passersby intervened to stop the attack and the suspects both ran off along Victoria Road.

    A search of the area by officers did not locate anyone matching the suspects’ descriptions.

    ‘Suspect1’ has been described as: a white man, aged in his late twenties, with fair hair that was shaven, a muscular build, short in height, and wearing a pink tutu.

    ‘Suspect2’ has been described as; a white man, also aged in his late twenties, with brown short hair, and also wearing a pink tutu.

    A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

    He was arrested on Tuesday, 4 November for grievous bodily harm and common assault and remains at a west London police station.

    Enquiries continue regarding the identity of the second suspect.

    Trainee Detective Constable Ann-Marie Hodgkiss, the officer in the case, said: “This was a violent and unprovoked hate crime and I am appealing for anyone with any information about the incident to contact me.

    “The two suspects were distinctively dressed, probably due to Halloween, and I would urge anyone who recognises their description and who may know who they are to contact me and help us trace them.”

    Any witnesses or anyone with any information are asked to call the Community Safety Unit at Kingston Police Station on 0208 721 5858 or via 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Two Gay Men In Horrific Anti-Gay Attack On Manchester Tram

    Two gay men were assaulted on a Manchester Tram in the early hours of Saturday morning (1st November) leaving one unconscious.

    Jean-Claude Manseau and Jake Heaton were singing songs from the hit musical Wicked when the pair were subjected to verbal abuse by an another passenger.

    When Manseau and Heaton got off at Piccadilly Gardens the homophobic passenger called over a group of 15 others and according to the victims proceeded to attack them physically.

    Manseau was knocked unconscious and sustained head injuries while Heaton was punched to the back of the head.

    Speaking to Manchester Evening News, Manseau said, ‘It has destroyed every bit of confidence I have. It will be a while before I go anywhere on my own. I don’t know when I’ll feel safe to go into Manchester again.

    ‘They split my forehead, my lip, broke my nose. My eyes are black and swollen. My ribs are painful, I can’t move much. My face is going to be scarred for life. That has upset me.’

    Heaton went on to say, ‘It was terrifying. They crowded around us and it probably only last a few seconds but it felt like a lifetime. It’s completely shocking. Nowadays you think people are mostly accepting of people’s sexuality, especially in a big city like Manchester.

    ‘We did nothing to provoke it. We were just having a laugh and a sing on the tram. It was definitely homophobic. Throughout it all, they were hurling abuse at us. I don’t feel safe now. You feel like you can’t be who you actually are when there are people like this walking the streets.’

    Anyone with information, please call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

  • Arson Attack On Cinema During Gay Film Festival

    Two days ago The Circle, the gay movie that is Switzerland’s official submission for a Best Foreign Picture Oscar Nomination, was being screened in Kiev’s iconic theatre Cinema Zhovten as part of on an LGBT Film Series.

    Anti-LGBT protests and the burning of pride flags took place outside, but during the next screening the theatre was set on fire with over 100 people inside and it burned down to the ground. Remarkably no casualties were reported.

    It’s a sobering reminder of the real strength of homophobia, and as the news spread on Facebook in Ukraine someone posted ‘it’s a country where street Nazis have become police officers, no-one will investigate a crime committed by the Far-Right. One hand washes the other.

  • 17-Year-Old Boy Raped By Two Men In Manchester Park, E-Fits Released

    Manchester Police are calling for witnesses and information with regards to a brutal rape of a 17-year-old boy in a Salford Park in Manchester.

    The 17-year-old unnamed victim was attacked by two men as he walked through Buille Hill Park, Eccles between 12:10 Am and 12:42AM on Wednesday 8th October.

    The police have released e-fits in a fresh appeal for witnesses.

    Police believe two men were standing at the gate of the Seedley Road entrance to the park and followed the boy along the path into the park. The victim then lost sight of the men and continued to walk further into the park, but a short time later the offenders approached him, one from the front and the other from behind, and raped him.

    Since the attack the victim has been supported by specially trained officers and detectives have been carrying out a number of inquiries. The victim has now managed to give a detailed description of the offenders and officers have today released the E-Fits.

    The men, both described as white, one in his late twenties and slim, the other in his thirties or forties and overweight, were both wearing shorts and hoodies with the hoods up. The slim male had blonde hair and was wearing glasses.

    Detective Inspector Kenneth Blain said:

    “This horrific incident left a boy traumatised and I’d like to reassure both him and the community that we are determined to catch those responsible.

    “The victim has managed to provide enough details for us to put together the E-Fits, so I would now like people to have a look and tell us if they recognise either of the men.

    “I would like to make a direct appeal to anyone who may have been walking near to where the incident took place to contact police immediately.”

    Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 5360 quoting log number 61 of 8 October 2014 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

    If you are affected by the issues raised in this article and would like to talk to someone please call LLGS on 0300 330 0630 or visit: http://www.llgs.org.uk

  • Boy, 15, Gang Raped By Five Men In Kentucky

    Five men have been arrested by police in Hopkinsville, Kentucky after the brutal rape of a 15-year-old boy, who has been left with a punctured colon.

    The attack reportedly happened on the 12th October, at a house party. It was captured on video and shared by Snapchat.

    Five men aged between 17 and 20 have been arrested by police in Kentucky. Police haven’t yet released any details about the assault, but they have announced that the attackers knew their victim.

    The victim was in a critical condition and spent days in intensive care. He was treated at the Gateway Medical Center in Clarksville. He is making a full recovery at home.

    Queerty reports that the attackers have been charged with sodomy, first degree; promoting a minor in a sex performance; use of a minor in a sex performance; distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. A $1million bond has been posted for one of the alleged attackers.

  • London Gay Couple Told To Get Off Bus In Homophobic Rant

    A gay couple from London have told the Evening Standard that they were told to stop kissing or get off the bus.

    The couple who were travelling on the number 89 at around 10:30 PM near Blackheath have told that the bus driver had a homophobic rant after the pair shared a ‘peck’ on the lips.

    Jack James, 23, and his boyfriend are reporting that the driver said, “Oi, you two don’t do that on my f**king bus or you can get off, I don’t want to watch that.”

    The incident happened on the 8th August 2014.

    According to the Standard, the pair didn’t realise that the driver was talking to them and asked for clarification. The driver reportedly replied, “Yes, it’s my bus it is my rules and I don’t want to watch that, it’s disgusting, get off the bus.”

    Mr James, has also stated that the driver told them to ‘f**k off’ and that they weren’t real men. Mr. James has said that he is considering reporting the incident to the police.

    Mr James said,

    “We were chatting away when my partner gave me a peck on the lips. The bus driver shouted ‘Oi you two don’t do that on my f****** bus or you can get off, I don’t want to watch that’. When the bus stopped at our stop I walked up to the driver and politely asked the driver if he was talking to us. His reply was ‘Yes, it’s my bus, it is my rules and I don’t want to watch that, it’s disgusting, get off the bus’. Once we got off the bus we were fuming and I was shaking. The bus stopped again and he shouted and told us we were not real men and we should f*** off.”

    Ken Davidson, TfL’s Head of Bus Operations, told the Standard,

    “All customers have the right to use our services without fear of being abused and offensive behaviour is completely unacceptable. We would like to reassure Mr James that this matter is being taken very seriously and that a thorough investigation is being conducted by Go Ahead.”

    In August the police appealed for witnesses to a homophobic attack on a London train, which happened between Charing Cross and Bexleyheath

  • Internet Trolls May Face Up To Two Years In Prison

    Internet trolls who target people with abusive or offensive material online will face up to 2 years in prison.

    Internet trolls who target people with abusive or offensive material online will face up to two years in prison and the police will have more time to investigate cases as part of the government’s commitment to protecting victims of crime.

    In the past a number of high profile celebrities such as Rylan Clark, Duncan James, Boy George and Joe McElderry have all suffered at the hands of online trolls.

    The government is changing the law to increase the maximum sentence for the offence of sending certain items with the intent to cause distress or anxiety. This will mean more serious offences can be dealt with in the Crown Court and there will not be a time limit for police and Crown Prosecution Service to bring a prosecution.

    THREE YEARS TO BRING PROSECUTIONS

    Alongside this, the government is also changing the law to allow up to 3 years, as opposed to 6 months as previously, to bring prosecutions against people for using the internet, social media or mobile phones to send menacing messages.

    Justice Minister Chris Grayling said,

    “The sending of abusive messages or material online can cause absolute misery for victims and we need to make sure that people who commit these awful crimes are properly punished.

    “We already have offences in place to deal with this appalling behaviour, but we’ve toughened up the law to make sure these crimes can be properly investigated and those who commit the most serious offences face a longer prison sentence.”

    Changes to the law will be made through the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, currently going through Parliament. This comes on top of a raft of government measures to support victims. Next year, victims’ rights to tell the court how their crime has affected them will be set out in statute; a new nationwide Victims’ Information Service will be set up to ensure better information and support; and millions of pounds will be invested in improving the court experience.

    Crucially, we will also develop plans to require advocates to undergo specialist training before taking part in sexual abuse or rape trials, which will make going to court easier and less distressing for victims. All vulnerable victims and witnesses will also be given greater opportunity to give evidence away from the court building, and we will work towards rolling out pre-trial cross examination for child victims nationally, subject to the evaluation of on-going pilots.

    The government also provides £4.4 million annually to fund rape support centres and has met its commitment to open 15 new support facilities across the country since 2010.

  • SEX TOY Christmas Tree Destroyed By Vandals

    Vandals have destroyed an art installation by Paul McCarthy.

    An art installation which was criticised for looking like a butt plug has been destroyed over night by vandals. The art was erected in Place Vendome, which is near the centre of Paris. Protesters who said the tree looked like a sex toy had decried it, saying it was a waste of tax payer’s money.

    The 80ft inflatable piece simply called ‘Tree’ was popped overnight. It had caused a lot of upset amongst anti-gay groups because it looks like a giant butt plug.

    Police in Paris said, ‘Individuals have severed the cables that hold the sculpture in place, taking advantage of a momentary lack of a security guard,

    ‘Investigations are ongoing.’

    The Mayor of Paris condemned the attack and the French Culture Minister Fleur Pellerin said that the vandalism was ‘an attack on creative freedom’.