Cops in Salford are interested in identifying a man after an alleged attempted rape of another man.
At around 1am on Sunday 21 October 2018 the victim – a man in his 20s – was walking on a path that leads from Cottenham Lane to Mary Street when he was approached by an unknown man.
The man asked the victim if he wanted to engage in sexual activity and he said no. The attacker then punched him several times before trying to rape him.
The victim managed to get away and then reported the offence to police.
Detective Constable David Prowse, from GMP’s Salford district, said, “We have been offering our support to the victim since this awful attack occurred and we are doing everything we can to find the man responsible.
“As part of our enquiries we have a picture of a man we need to speak to, as we think they could hold key information.
“I know the picture isn’t very clear but the man is quite distinctive and I think anyone who knows him will recognise him.
“I urge you to get in touch, or if this is you then please also make contact with us.”
Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 5355 quoting incident number 156 of 21 October 2018.
Information can also be passed on to the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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A 15-year boy has been arrested after an alleged homophobic assault against another 15-year-old boy in Bury, north of Manchester in the UK. Shortly after 3:30PM on Monday, 11th Feb the victim, an unnamed student who is also 15-years-old was set upon by a number of males, according to a police report.
A confrontation then took place on Manchester Road Park, before the boy was assaulted by a number of males. The boy was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged.
A boy aged 15 has been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody. Police are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the incident.
“Cowardly Attack”
Chief Inspector Phil Spurgeon of GMP’s Bury Division said, “This was a cowardly attack on a young man who was subjected to vile, homophobic abuse.
“After challenging his abusers, he was then assaulted by a number of offenders and had to be treated in hospital for his injuries. We are treating this offence with the utmost seriousness. We will not tolerate hate crime and will do everything in our power to apprehend offenders. While we have arrested one person, we are continuing to appeal for information on this crime and would ask that anyone if information contacts police immediately.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8172 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Anyone who thinks they have experienced hate crime should call police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.
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A ruthless teenager has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the brutal murder of another man, in his own home.
(C) GMP
19-year-old Daniel Kurmelovs (22/05/2000) of Dalton Road, Middleton was sentenced to life with a minimum of 25 years after being found guilty of the murder of a fifty-three-year-old man, Frank Lennon, at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square.
Kurmelovs had strangled his victim to death and try to cover his tracks by splashing the body with toothpaste and cleaning products in an attempt to cover his tracks. After murdering Frank, Kurmelovs ransacked his victim’s home and stole cash, jewellery and other items.
Frank’s body was discovered by his siblings after they failed to hear back from him over the weekend. They went to his flat where they sadly discovered his body.
Strangled, fractured ribs and cuts to his ears
A post mortem determined that Frank had been killed by a compression to the neck. He also suffered fractured ribs and other injuries including cuts to his ear, which Kurmelovs had done with scissors in a bid to see whether Frank was still alive.
During the trial, the court heard how on the evening of Friday 20 July 2018, Frank had met Kurmelovs in a chance meeting in Manchester’s gay village.
The pair walked towards Chorlton Street bus station before catching a taxi to Frank’s home where they were intimate. They then walked inside his flat on Hamerton Road, Collyhurst shortly before 10 pm.
Six days later – having dramatically altered his appearance by shaving his head – Kurmelovs visited a friend in Middleton where he admitted to murdering a man for his cigarettes which he then attempted to sell.
Officers were alerted and Kurmelovs was arrested.
Senior Investigating Officer Bob Tonge, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said, “Kurmelovs brutally murdered Frank in his own home. Not satisfied that he was dead, he even took some scissors and cut Frank’s ear – an attempt, he claimed, to see if he was alive.
“Frank also suffered fractured ribs at the hands of Kurmelovs who undeterred by his actions, set about ransacking his flat and stealing his possessions which he brazenly tried to sell just days later.
“Kurmelovs tried to suggest that his actions were accidental and eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter but thankfully the jury were able to see through that excuse and today convicted him of murder.
“My thoughts remain with Frank’s family who have had to sit through the agony of a trial and the suffering of Kurmelovs’ excuses but I hope today can provide them with some comfort, knowing the man responsible is locked away where he can’t harm anyone else.”
“Loved by all”
(C) GMP
Paying tribute to Frank, his family said, “Frank was much loved by all his family and friends and had much life ahead of him.
“Frank was taken from us in July in completely unnecessary circumstances. We cannot express how devastated we are that his life has been stolen from him.
“Frank is missed every minute of every day.
“Today his killer has been sentenced, and justice has been served.
“We can try to repair our heartache although no matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring Frank back or make our loss any easier.
“We need to attempt to move on and hopefully today will now provide closure for our pain over the last few months, however, we will never forget Frank or the many memories he has given us.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past few months.”
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Bruce McArthur has pleaded guilty to the murder of eight men in the city of Toronto.
Bruce McArthur pleaded guilty on Tuesday (January 29) to the first-degree murders of eight men between 2010 and 2017. McArthur appeared at the Superior Court of Justice, in Toronto where he entered guilty pleas for the killings of Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam, Majeed Kayhan, Skandaraj (Skanda) Navaratnam and Abdulbasir Faizi, Selim Esen, Soroush Mahmudi, Dean Lisowick and Andrew Kinsman.
Despite pleading his crime he did not answer as to why he had killed the men.
Seven of McArthur’s victims were known to Toronto’s gay community, and some of them were also immigrants from South Asia or the Middle East.
During the trial, the court heard how many of his victims were dismembered and buried in planters. McArthur was a self-employed landscape gardener.
Toronto Police detective David Dickinson said, “We are pleased that McArthur has pleaded guilty, sparing the communities and families a lengthy trial.
“This is the best outcome… I hope we can start bringing some closure to the families and the communities.”
The police have not yet finished investigating cold cases with Dickinson adding, “It’s not ending any time soon.”
When asked why McArthur committed the murders, the Detective added, “I don’t know if we will ever know why.”
Arthur will be sentenced in early February.
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A man who was racist and homophobic towards people heading to Brighton Pride has been jailed for more than four years.
Ryan Brown was heading to Pride himself when he threatened to ‘knock a woman out’ and shouted racist and homophobic terms at train passengers.
The incident happened shortly after 5pm on Saturday 5 August 2017.
The 31-year-old from Crawley, West Sussex, resisted arrest in Brighton and had to be restrained by BTP officers.
In his pocket he had a large number of small bags containing MDMA.
He was found guilty of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and causing fear of violence through racially charged and homophobic language.
Brown was also sentenced at the same time for a separate matter which included affray, criminal damage, and assault with intent to resist arrest which he pleaded guilty to in December 2018.
He was jailed for four years and six months at Hove Crown Court on Thursday 10 January.
British Transport Police DC Imogen Sweeney said, “I would like to thank the victim in this case. She was subjected to a frightening ordeal by Brown, receiving homophobic abuse and witnessing racist abuse.
“She has remained determined to pursue justice throughout this investigation and I have nothing but admiration and praise for her strength.
“Brighton Pride celebrates diversity and equality, values that Brown clearly needs education in. I believe this sentence reflects the seriousness and particularly nasty nature of his offending on that day.”
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Police have released horrifying footage of an unprovoked acid attack on men near one of east-London’s most popular LGBT+ venues
A group of men who launched an unprovoked attack, which resulted in a number of people being sprayed with a noxious substance, on the streets of London have been sentenced. Three victims were left with acid burns to their bodies close to a popular gay venue in Hackney, in May 2018. Last week, nine men have been sentenced to lengthy spells in prison for their parts in the attack.
Watch the terrifying attack below;
Who were the men who received jail time for their part in the attack?
Huseyin Onel, 24 (30.03.94) of no fixed abode, but from the Hackney area, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for applying a noxious substance causing grievous bodily harm (GBH), plus an additional three years on extended licence. Onel was sentenced to nine years each for six counts of casting a noxious substance and three years for violent disorder to run concurrently.
Mehmet Tekagac, 30 (03.09.88) of Kenworthy Road, E9 was sentenced to 14-and-a-half years in prison for applying a noxious substance causing GBH, plus an additional three years on extended licence. To run concurrently, Tekagac was sentenced to eight years for robbery and three years for violent disorder.
Onur Ardic, 27 (02.11.91) of Frampton Park Road, E9 was sentenced to 14 years in prison for applying a noxious substance causing GBH plus three years on extended licence. He was also sentenced to three years for violent disorder to run concurrently.
Guven Ulas, 20 (21.12.98) of Pultney Street, N1, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for violent disorder.
Mustafa Kiziltan, 30 (10.09.88) of no fixed abode, but from the Hackney area, was sentenced to a total of three years months in prison – 27 months for violent disorder and nine months for dangerous driving. He was also sentenced to three months for failing to stop, this will run concurrently.
Serkan Kiziltan, 22 (03.11.96) of Well Street, E9, was sentenced to 18 months for violent disorder.
Umit Kaygisiz, 21 (26.12.97) of Orsman Road, N1, was sentenced to a total of 28 months in prison for violent disorder and attempting to convey a prohibited item into prison (namely a mobile phone).
Yasam Erdogan, 24 (24.11.94) of Nightingale Road, N1, was sentenced to 18 months for violent disorder, suspended for two years.
Turgut Adakan, 23 (20.06.95) of Roman Road, E6, was sentenced to 18 months for violent disorder, suspended for two years.
All nine were sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday, 17 January.
The group launched a ferocious attack
The incident unfolded at approximately 05:15hrs on 5 May 2018, when a verbal altercation began between an unidentified male and Onur Ardic who was part a group of nine men who were sitting in cars on Alvington Crescent in Hackney.
The unidentified male went to speak to Ardic and was quickly surrounded by the group before Mustafa Kiziltan punched him. En masse, the group launched a ferocious attack, punching and kicking the male for a sustained period.
A group of people who had left a nearby club attempted to intervene to stop the attack with one of them – a man in his 20s – filming the assault.
The suspect group took exception to this and attacked the man, kicking him to the ground and attempting to steal his phone. A number of this victim’s group went to their friend’s aid and a large brawl erupted.
During this, Huseyin Onel – a member of the suspect group – entered one of the cars and was seen to exit a couple of seconds later carrying a white bottle. He used this bottle to spray a noxious substance, in the faces of a number of people.
On realising the escalation of events, a number of the victim’s group began to run from the scene but Onel calmly targeted them, spraying liquid at their faces as they attempted to flee.
Other members of the group – Mehmet Tekagac and Onur Ardic – were also involved in the corrosive substance attack on one of the group.
Meanwhile, the vicious assault continued on the victim who had filmed the initial assault and only ended when a bag containing his phone had been ripped from him.
He was left with a fractured eye socket and corrosive burns to his eye, with it initially believed his injuries would be life changing, but his recovery was described by doctors as ‘miraculous’.
“They Run Hackney”
The suspects then got into three cars and drove from the scene, shouting homophobic comments at members of the group, and that they ‘run Hackney’.
Officers from Hackney, working alongside a crime scene examiner (CSE) attended the scene and began to collate evidence and secure CCTV that captured the vast majority of the attacks.
Officers reviewed the footage and were able to identify the majority of the suspects. They were assisted by the CSE and Met’s Fingerprint Bureau, who were able to confirm which suspects had been holding the white bottle containing the noxious substance, and who had been attacking the unknown victim, which helped strengthen the case that secured these convictions.
Over a four-month period, all nine suspects were identified, arrested and charged.
“Truly shocking”
Detective Constable David Leitner, of the Central East Command Unit, led the investigation. He said: “Nine violent and dangerous men have been removed from London’s streets today and will now spend a lengthy time locked up in prison.
“The level of violence used in this attack, coupled with the speed that this incident escalated, are truly shocking.
“A group of people who were enjoying themselves at the end of a night out were subjected to a sustained and relentless wave of violence including the use of a corrosive substance – because they acted as good Samaritans to help a male being subjected to a vicious assault.
“The original victim who was attacked by the group has never been traced but I hope he, and all those who were set upon by this violent group of individuals, will take some comfort from the fact that this group has been convicted.”
At Wood Green Crown Court on 21 November 2018, three of the group were found guilty as follows:
Huseyin Onel was found guilty of eight counts of applying a corrosive fluid with intent and violent disorder.
Mehmet Tekagac was found guilty of applying a corrosive fluid with intent and robbery. He had earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Onur Ardic was found guilty of applying a corrosive substance with intent. He had earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
The six other men earlier pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to violent disorder.
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Huseyin Onel, 24 (30.03.94) of no fixed abode, but from the Hackney area, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for applying a noxious substance causing grievous bodily harm (GBH), plus an additional three years on extended licence. Onel was sentenced to nine years each for six counts of casting a noxious substance and three years for violent disorder to run concurrently.
Mehmet Tekagac, 30 (03.09.88) of Kenworthy Road, E9 was sentenced to 14-and-a-half years in prison for applying a noxious substance causing GBH, plus an additional three years on extended licence. To run concurrently, Tekagac was sentenced to eight years for robbery and three years for violent disorder.
Onur Ardic, 27 (02.11.91) of Frampton Park Road, E9 was sentenced to 14 years in prison for applying a noxious substance causing GBH plus three years on extended licence. He was also sentenced to three years for violent disorder to run concurrently.
Guven Ulas, 20 (21.12.98) of Pultney Street, N1, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for violent disorder.
Mustafa Kiziltan, 30 (10.09.88) of no fixed abode, but from the Hackney area, was sentenced to a total of three years months in prison – 27 months for violent disorder and nine months for dangerous driving. He was also sentenced to three months for failing to stop, this will run concurrently.
Serkan Kiziltan, 22 (03.11.96) of Well Street, E9, was sentenced to 18 months for violent disorder.
Umit Kaygisiz, 21 (26.12.97) of Orsman Road, N1, was sentenced to a total of 28 months in prison for violent disorder and attempting to convey a prohibited item into prison (namely a mobile phone).
Yasam Erdogan, 24 (24.11.94) of Nightingale Road, N1, was sentenced to 18 months for violent disorder, suspended for two years.
Turgut Adakan, 23 (20.06.95) of Roman Road, E6, was sentenced to 18 months for violent disorder, suspended for two years.
All nine were sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday, 17 January.
The group launched a ferocious attack
The incident unfolded at approximately 05:15hrs on 5 May 2018, when a verbal altercation began between an unidentified male and Onur Ardic who was part a group of nine men who were sitting in cars on Alvington Crescent in Hackney.
The unidentified male went to speak to Ardic and was quickly surrounded by the group before Mustafa Kiziltan punched him. En masse, the group launched a ferocious attack, punching and kicking the male for a sustained period.
A group of people who had left a nearby club attempted to intervene to stop the attack with one of them – a man in his 20s – filming the assault.
The suspect group took exception to this and attacked the man, kicking him to the ground and attempting to steal his phone. A number of this victim’s group went to their friend’s aid and a large brawl erupted.
During this, Huseyin Onel – a member of the suspect group – entered one of the cars and was seen to exit a couple of seconds later carrying a white bottle. He used this bottle to spray a noxious substance, in the faces of a number of people.
On realising the escalation of events, a number of the victim’s group began to run from the scene but Onel calmly targeted them, spraying liquid at their faces as they attempted to flee.
Other members of the group – Mehmet Tekagac and Onur Ardic – were also involved in the corrosive substance attack on one of the group.
Meanwhile, the vicious assault continued on the victim who had filmed the initial assault and only ended when a bag containing his phone had been ripped from him.
He was left with a fractured eye socket and corrosive burns to his eye, with it initially believed his injuries would be life changing, but his recovery was described by doctors as ‘miraculous’.
“They Run Hackney”
The suspects then got into three cars and drove from the scene, shouting homophobic comments at members of the group, and that they ‘run Hackney’.
Officers from Hackney, working alongside a crime scene examiner (CSE) attended the scene and began to collate evidence and secure CCTV that captured the vast majority of the attacks.
Officers reviewed the footage and were able to identify the majority of the suspects. They were assisted by the CSE and Met’s Fingerprint Bureau, who were able to confirm which suspects had been holding the white bottle containing the noxious substance, and who had been attacking the unknown victim, which helped strengthen the case that secured these convictions.
Over a four-month period, all nine suspects were identified, arrested and charged.
“Truly shocking”
Detective Constable David Leitner, of the Central East Command Unit, led the investigation. He said: “Nine violent and dangerous men have been removed from London’s streets today and will now spend a lengthy time locked up in prison.
“The level of violence used in this attack, coupled with the speed that this incident escalated, are truly shocking.
“A group of people who were enjoying themselves at the end of a night out were subjected to a sustained and relentless wave of violence including the use of a corrosive substance – because they acted as good Samaritans to help a male being subjected to a vicious assault.
“The original victim who was attacked by the group has never been traced but I hope he, and all those who were set upon by this violent group of individuals, will take some comfort from the fact that this group has been convicted.”
At Wood Green Crown Court on 21 November 2018, three of the group were found guilty as follows:
Huseyin Onel was found guilty of eight counts of applying a corrosive fluid with intent and violent disorder.
Mehmet Tekagac was found guilty of applying a corrosive fluid with intent and robbery. He had earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Onur Ardic was found guilty of applying a corrosive substance with intent. He had earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
The six other men earlier pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to violent disorder.
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A retail executive, Vongell Lugo, 36, has been killed after being stabbed to death in his apartment in Washington DC, USA allegedly by a man that was known to him and may have been an “intimate partner”. Police responded to an emergency call at 4.15 AM on Sunday 6th January 2019.
This is the second report of a domestic violence-related death in the USA in the last month.
A twenty-six-year-old man, Collin J. Potter, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Lugo’s death. NBC News says that he was found by the police, “standing over a man who had been stabbed to death”.
According to the AVP, Lugo was a successful retail exec, who was described as a “kind soul, the centre of the party, and a beacon of light that made an impact on everyone he came into contact with”.
Lugo immigrated to the USA in 1994 and went to the University of Maryland, completing a BA in Sociology in 2010.
A man in his 50s was killed in a domestic-violence related homicide.
John Likeness was killed on December 30th 2018 after an alleged domestic violence incident. Likeness who was in his early fifties lived in Menomonie, Wisconsin and was allegedly shot in the chest with a crossbow and died from his injury.
Seehaver is currently in custody and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, domestic abuse being a repeat criminal offender and illegal use of a dangerous weapon according to the Anti-Violence Project.
John Likeness was a veteran, who served his country for 10 years until 1993 after becoming disabled while in the military.
His niece, Carrie Likeness said, “John was proud to have served our country and although a disabled veteran, he spent this last year embracing independence while exploring the U.S. by railway,”
Detectives looking to identify two people in connection to an investigation into a sexual assault on a man in his 20s in Central London.
The Met police have released images of two men they wish to speak to and identify in connection with an investigation of a sexual assault on a man in central London.
The incident happened at around 2.45am on Wednesday, 24 October 2018 in Flitcroft Street, Camden, just a block away from G-A-Y Late and the famous gay centre of Old Compton Street.
Police say, the victim, a man in his 20s, was sexually assaulted by two men who then left the location on foot.
The victim’s friend, who did not witness the assault but who had been with him shortly before, came to his aid and police were called.
Detective Constable Robin East said, “This was a sexual assault on a man in a public street and we appeal for anyone who thinks they can help us with the investigation to come forward.
“Although this happened in the early hours, there would still have been a number of people around the area who may have seen the victim or suspects before or after the assault.
“We are interested in speaking to the two men in these images, so if you recognise them, please don’t delay in calling police.
“The victim in this case continues to receive support from specially trained officers.
“We have not had any further reports of similar assaults and this is being treated as an isolated incident.”
Both suspects were described by the victim as white, and of Eastern European origin. One man was thought to be between 35 to 40 years old, short (around 5ft5ins tall) and of stocky build. He was wearing a dark puffer jacket and had big ears.
The other man was believed to be slightly younger, between 30 and 35 years of age, of skinny build, clean shaven and had light brown hair. He was wearing a blue Superdry jacket and thought to be around 5ft8ins tall.
Anyone with information about this assault or who recognises the men in the CCTV images is asked to contact CN Safeguarding on 101 quoting 2330062/18, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Kevin Fret has died at the age of just 24 after being shot on the streets of Puerto Rico.
Gay rapper Kevin Fret has died after being shot 8 times while he was riding a motorbike in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was just 24.
Fret was reportedly riding his motorcycle when he was shot at around 5:30 AM. He was taken to hospital after his shooting where he was pronounced dead.
The BBC reports that an investigation is underway.
His murder is the 22nd in Puerto Rico this year already.
Fret’s best-known song was “Soy Asi” which managed to rack up half a million views on YouTube, after its release in 2018. He is described as Latin Trap music’s first openly gay recording artist.
His latest single, “Diferente” featuring Mike Duran clocked up over 1.8 million hits.
“There are no words that describe the feeling we have and the pain that causes us to know that a person with so many dreams has to go.
“We must all unite in these difficult times, and ask for much peace for our beloved Puerto Rico.”
It is not known if Fret was targetted specifically or if his killing was an act of random violence or whether there is a hate-crime element to his death.
He would have been 25 on the 2nd Feb.
Is Puerto Rico LGBT+ friendly?
Puerto Rico has a good recent history with regards to LGBT+ rights. Gay people in the country are afforded many rights including, marriage, adoption there are discrimination laws to protect LGBT+ people.
Puerto Rico is known to have a high crime rate and something it has been struggling with for decades.
It has a homicide rate of 30.6 per 100,000 people. In the UK the homicide rate is 1.20 per 100,000 people.
