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.

  • Search For Homophobic Ammonia In Face Attacker Continues

    Three men were sprayed with a substance thought to be a highly concentrated ammonia, in an apparent anti-gay attack outside a club in Vauxhall, London.

    The Met police have released stills of a man they wish to question in connection with a violent attack on three men in Vauxhall in the early hours of Sunday, 8th June.

    The attack could leave one of the victims blind.

    Detectives issued CCTV stills of a man and two women they wished to trace after three men were sprayed with a substance, thought to be ammonia, in Vauxhall in the early hours of Sunday, 8 June. The two women have come forward. They have not been arrested.

    The man remains outstanding.

    Detectives have issued CCTV stills of a man and two women they wish to trace after three men were sprayed with a substance, thought to be ammonia, in the early hours of Sunday, 8 June.

    In the first incident, at approximately 0400hrs, the substance was sprayed at two men outside the Lightbox nightclub in South Lambeth Place, Vauxhall. This followed a verbal exchange between the two men and a group outside the venue.

    Following comments made during the exchange, this incident is being treated as a homophobic hate crime.

    A short time later, police were made aware of a third man who had also been sprayed in the face with a substance in the vicinity of the nightclub. No motive is known for this incident.

    All three men were treated at hospital; their injuries are not believed to be serious.

    Officers believe the same man was responsible for both incidents.

    Officers from Lambeth Community Safety Unit are investigating and ask anyone who recognises the man in the images, or has information about the incidents, to contact them on 0208 649 2176 or 07909 906 168.

    There has been no arrest at this stage. Enquiries are continuing.

  • Hertford Teen Jailed For 21 Months After Anti-Gay Attack

    A teenager who attacked a gay man in Hertford has been jailed for 21 months.

    Daniel Keem, 18, attacked a gay man after hurling anti-gay slurs in Hertford.

    Giving evidence at the St. Alban’s crown court, the victim said, ‘He shouted [abuse] I just ignored it and walked into the shop. I don’t normally respond to it. It encourages homophobia.’

    The unnamed victim was shopping at the Co-Op in Flemming Crescent and said that he had recognised Keem as he had made comments in the past.

    After leaving the store the victim made his way down Windsor Drive, he said,

    ‘I was confronted by Daniel.

    ‘He said: ‘Don’t take the piss out of me.

    ‘He punched me and tried to headbutt me.

    ‘Someone grabbed my arm and pushed me around.’

    Keem, admitted causing actual bodily harm in October last year, after punching and trying to headbutt his victim, although he denied making homophobic remarks.

  • Teenager Sentenced To 14 years In Prison For Anti-Gay Attack

    A 19 year old man from Chester has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for what a judge has said was a homophobic attack.

    Chester Crown Court heard that Floyd Evans stabbed office cleaner Francisco Nascimento at a spot on Chester city walls which is known to be a meeting place for the gay community.

    It was only the swift action of the emergency services and staff at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital that saved his life.

    At Chester Crown Court today (Tuesday 20 May), Recorder of Chester HHJ Elgan Edwards, said he was satisfied that Floyd Evans did what he did on 21 October last year because he thought Mr Nascimento was gay.

    He said Evans knew that area of the Chester city walls was a well-known meeting point for gay men.

    He was satisfied that this crime was a homophobic assault and increased the sentence given to Evans because of this.

    On 21 October 2013, Mr Nascimento, who’s originally from Brazil but has lived in Chester for several years, finished his work as a cleaner and went to the Northgate Arena for a swim.

    He then went on to a nearby shop to buy some food, before setting off for home via the City Walls.

    Mr Nascimento, who was 35 at the time of the attack, met a friend, Gareth Davies, on the walls and they were chatting when they noticed Evans coming towards them.

    Evans started talking to Mr Davies but then suddenly lunged forward and stabbed Mr Nascimento. He then simply walked away.

    The emergency services were called and a police officer, PC Campbell, kept pressure on the wound until the paramedics arrived.

    The judge in the case has given PC Campbell a Crown Court commendation for his actions on the night.

    Mr Nascimento was then taken to a specialist trauma centre at Royal Liverpool University Hospital where he was operated on immediately.

    Evans was caught on CCTV before and after the attack and forensic experts helped identify him as the man responsible.

    Richard Riley, Senior Crown Prosecutor with Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, said,

    “We have always believed that Floyd Evans stabbed My Nascimento because he thought he was gay and that Evans went to that part of the city walls that night for that very reason.

    “Evans is clearly a violent man, quite possibly harbouring sinister feelings towards certain sections of our community.

    “This was what we describe as a hate crime and the Crown Prosecution Service is determined to bring those responsible to justice.

    “Mr Nascimento had done nothing wrong on the night he was attacked and it is only because of the swift actions of his friend, a passing police officer, the paramedics and the staff at the Royal Liverpool Hospital that he is still alive today.

    “We welcome the sentence handed out to Floyd Evans today. He now has several years in prison ahead of him to reflect on the violence and recklessness of his actions on that night.”

  • Leicestershire Gay Man Left With 7 Stitches After Anti-Gay Attack

    A man in Hinckley, Leicestershire, has been left with facial injuries needing 7 stitches after a homophobic attack.

    Craig Chapman, 44, has spoken out after he abused by two men who tried to rob him, whilst walking his dog, the Hinckley Times is reporting.

    He said to the paper: ‘My face was an absolute mess – I couldn’t see through my eye and I needed seven stitches. I had to be kept in hospital overnight in case there was damage to my spleen.’

    The attack happened on the 16th April 2014, along Welwyn Road at around 4pm-4.45pm, when two men in a metallic blue Vauxhall Corsa approached Chapman.

    The two men apparently got out of the car and said: ‘Oi gay boy’ and punched the victim in the stomach .

    The first suspect is described as white, 18 – 25 years of age, approx 5’10’’, medium build, with short light brown hair possibly in a quiff. He was wearing a blue zip up top with white piping, blue jeans and Nike trainers with a blue sole and Nike logo on the side.

    The second suspect, who was the driver of the vehicle, is described as white, 18 – 25 years of age, approx 5’10’’ with an athletic build. He was wearing a red baseball cap with a white NYC logo and large wrap around sunglasses.

    Detective Constable Matthew Wiggins said: “This was a particularly nasty attack with the victim being left with a number of injuries. We are interested in hearing from anyone who may have witnessed the attack, or anyone who recognises the suspects from their description.”

    Anyone with information in relation to any appeals featured on this site is asked to contact the relevant officer on 101, follow the instructions to leave a message for the officer and when prompted key in the officer’s identification number. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

  • Gay Men Who Have Been Assaulted In Soho Asked To Contact Police

    Detectives in Ealing are appealing to members of the male gay community, who have been befriended in the Soho area of London and then assaulted or robbed either nearby or outside of central London, to contact them.

    • Gay Males are being targeted and the robbed in the Soho area in London
    • Men have been robbed and or assaulted
    • Police urge gay males who have had this done to them to come forward.

    Acting Detective Inspector Nick Doherty said: “If you have been a victim to this type of crime and it has previously gone unreported, I urge you to come forward and tell police. I believe they may be victims within the gay community who have been targeted and subjected to these attacks and I am determined to bring the person responsible to justice”

    If you are or know of anyone who has been a victim of this type of crime, please contact Ealing CID on 020 8721 7050 / 07824 598 361 or 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Please quote reference 2505191/13.

    All calls are treated confidentially and with the utmost sensitivity.

  • 50 People Stood By And Watched Anti-Gay Attack in NYC

    New York gay couple attacked in front of 50 people and nobody intervened.

    A gay couple who were celebrating their 10 year anniversary in New York were attacked in front of 50 people and not one person intervened.

    J.P. Masterson and Peter Moore were set upon by a man who hurled anti-gay abuse at them before punching Masterson in his face.

    Masterson said to the CBS:

    ‘I couldn’t believe that in this day and age in the Village, which is where I came out and where I felt most accepted, now I have to be on edge.’

    Masterson was treated at the Lenox Hill Hospital. He suffered a broken nose, a fractured orbital bone and a cut above the eye that required stitches.

    The New York Police Dept. has released a sketch of the man the couple say attacked them.

    According to the New York Times 50 New Yorkers stood by as Masterson was beaten.

    “Police describe the suspect as a white male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs around 170 pounds and is in his late 20s. He may also have a thick Polish accent,” NJ.com reports

    Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 800-577-TIPS, visit NYCCrimestoppers, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

  • Unconfirmed Reports That Iran Hanged Two Gay Men For ‘Perversion’

    Activists say that two gay men have been executed in Iran for “Perversion”

    The Washington Freebeacon is reporting that activists, who are tracking the situation, claim that two gay men have been hanged in Iran on Sunday and a third has been sentenced for “insulting the prophet.”

    The two men were held in a prison near Rasht. Iran is still one of the only countries that has a capital punishment for homosexuality. Its legal system is based on Islamic law or sharia.

    Until Sunday there had been no reports of executions in Iran for being gay since 2005, (when Mahmoud Asgari,16, and Ayaz Marhoni, 18 were publicly hanged), despite it being an activity which carries a death penalty.

    The Washington Freebeacon also reports that ‘Iranian authorities have hanged 40 individuals in a two-week period. Iran is executing at least two people a day, according to activists.’

    According to Banafsheh Zand, an Iranian political and human rights activist, not much is known about these executions because the Iranian authorities are sweeping the hangings ‘under the rug’.

    We’ve not been able to confirm these reports.

  • Investigation Opened Over £28,000 of Fake Beyoncé Tickets

    The British Transport police are opening an investigation after more than 100 cases of ticket fraud reported at the Phones 4 U Arena in Manchester.

    Detective Constable Mike Dermody said: “It seems that someone has been selling fake tickets to concert goers who only realise the tickets aren’t genuine when they get to the venue.

    “We believe there have been more than 140 sets of fake tickets sold, though only seven victims have come forward so far.

    “In most cases the tickets have sold for at least £100 each and each victim has bought at least two tickets, so we are potentially looking at a fraud worth more than £28,000.”

    DC Dermody added: “Each transaction has taken place over the internet, using public selling websites, with the victims arranging to meet someone in Manchester to pick up the tickets.

    “I believe the victims of this fraudster will be spread far and wide as people travel from all over the UK to see Beyonce.

    “I am, therefore, appealing to anyone who has been sold fake tickets, but has not yet spoken to police to come forward.

    “We have a number of leads, but need as many people as possible to get in touch.”

    If you have any information about the fraudulent tickets please call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40. In all calls please quote BTP log NWA/B5 of 28/2/14.

  • Violent Ex Lover Faces Jail After Battering Three Men

    A Glaswegian man faces jail after the court hears how he battered three lovers in an abuse case that spans 10 years.

    Kevin Conway, 29, a bank manager from Glasgow has appeared in court after three men accused him of battery and abuse, which spanned a decade.

    Paul Scrase, Mark MacDonald and Andrew Fleming all accused Conway of beating them whilst in a relationship with Conway.

    During one savage beating Conway hit Scrase over the head with a candle stick which left Scarse needing stitches and he head butted MacDonald breaking his nose. Fleming also told of how Conway had threatened to pour boiling water from a kettle on him.

    The abuse left Fleming ‘terrified’.

    The Daily Record reports that in other attacks Conway had threatened to have someone rape Fleming.

    Conway accused the men of lying and claimed that he had suffered domestic abuse, however, the sheriff rejected these claims.

    The Glasgow Sheriff court is a local court service in Scotland, based in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. The court deals with an assortment of cases including: Solemn and summary criminal cases, fine payments, and civil actions.

    Conway was convicted of 10 charges of assault.

    Paul Scrase said:
    ‘It’s a great sense of relief, the sheriff has seen exactly who he is and what ¬ behaviours he had demonstrated.

    ‘When the domestic abuse task force approached me I was shocked.’

    Conway will be sentenced later in February.

  • Men charged for homosexual group sex in China

    Eight men have been charged for engaging in homosexual group sex in China.

    • 8 Men from the ages of 20-40 were discovered by police naked in hotel room
    • Participants were charged 50 yuan (£5) by the organiser to attend China.org,cn reports
    • The group was organised via chat service QQ

    Eight men in the Xuhui District, in Shanghai have been given detention or administrative penalties for participating in group sex, China.org.cn are reporting.

    According to the site, Mr. Wu, the organiser booked a hotel room and waited for attendees, who he connected with via a chat service called QQ. Wu charged each of the attendees 50 Yuan to attend, around £5.

    He was sentenced to five months of administrative detention for engaging and organising the group sex. The attendees were give administrative penalties.

    China has a chequered history in LGBT rights – same-sex sexual activity has only been legal since 1997, whilst the country does not recognise gay relationships or marriages. Same-sex couples are not permitted to adopt and there is no legal statute to protect gays from discrimination. However transsexuals are legally permitted to change their legal gender.

    Homosexuality was removed from the Ministry Of Health’s list of mental illnesses in 2001.

  • Heartbreaking online vigil for Roger Jean Claude Mbede

    A heartbreaking online vigil has gone online at AllOut.org for Roger Jean-Claude Mbédé who was killed in Cameroon, where it is still illegal to be gay.

    • Roger Jean-Claude Mbédé was jailed for 3 years in prison
    • He had sent a text saying ‘I’m very mich in love w/u
    • He faced physical abuse and was unable to find employment or critical healthcare after prison.

    Sign Petition Now

    From AllOut.org

    On January 10, 2014, we learned that Roger Jean-Claude Mbédé had died in Cameroon. Roger had been sentenced to 3 years in prison because he sent another man an SMS that said “I’m very much in love w/u” – in a country where it’s illegal to be gay.

    The details of how Roger died are not yet clear – but what we know is this: In prison he faced physical abuse and medical emergencies. Out of jail he was attacked and turned away from employment, school, shelter and even critical healthcare.

    Despite attacks and great hardship, Roger spoke out against Cameroon’s anti-gay law. He said he did it so that other lesbian, gay, bi and trans people in Cameroon would not have to face what he did.

    Roger lived with love but died without seeing justice for himself. The world needs to hear his story. Will you add your name to this ‘virtual vigil’ to honour Roger’s memory, and call for an end to the anti-gay laws that are destroying lives?

    Sign Petition Now