THEGAYUK

Tag: Homophobia

The latest news about homophobia across the UK and the globe.

  • Why is Section 28 trending on Twitter?

    Following on from the news that one Birmingham school has stopped its LGBT+ relationships and equality lessons, Section 28 has started trending on Twitter.

    CREDIT: © tomwang Depositphotos

    So for those who don’t know what Section 28 is here’s a little summary.

    What was Section 28?

    Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 meant that local authority employees, including school teachers, could not “intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship”.

    Section 28 was supported by a number of religious groups including, Salvation Army, the Christian Institute Christian Action Research and Education, the Muslim Council of Britain, and groups within the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

    It became law in England, Scotland and Wales on the 24th May 1988 under Margaret Thatcher’s Tory government. Section 28 was repealed in 2003 by the Labour government. The Scottish government was able to repeal this bill in 2000 and was, in fact, one of the first pieces of legislation enacted by the new Scottish Parliament.

    Why is it trending now?

    The Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood, Shabana Mahmood gave a speech at the end of February in which she raised concerns from her constituents that there was no consultation with parents before schools embarked on the No Outsiders campaign in Birmingham, where the ethos  of the campaign was to promote LGBT+ equality and to question transphobia and homophobia in primary schools.

    Many critics have called the speech shameful and homophobic.

    What’s happened?

    Embed from Getty Images

    Hundreds of predominantly Muslim parents at the Parkfield Primary removed their children from the school on Friday in protest at the No Outsiders lessons.

    The school removed the lesson and in a letter to the parents it said,

    “Up to the end of this term, we will not be delivering any No Outsiders lessons in our long term year curriculum plan, as this half term has already been blocked for religious education (RE).

    “Equality assemblies will continue as normal and our welcoming No Outsiders ethos will be there for all.

    The school has now confirmed that they have put the lessons on hold and will, according to The Guardian, “resume only after a full consultation with every parent”.

    The letter continued,

    “The discussions were a helpful first step and identified the key issues that are concerning parents, including the ethos, the books, the age appropriateness, the lessons and the assemblies. The agreed outcome of the meeting was the need to have a discussion with the school community about the No Outsiders curriculum and how it should be delivered.”

    Some parents have argued that their children are “too young” to be learning about same-sex relationships.

    One mother, Fatima Shah said,

    “We are not a bunch of homophobic mothers. We just feel that some of these lessons are inappropriate. Some of the themes being discussed are very adult and complex and the children are getting confused.

    “They need to be allowed to be children rather than having to constantly think about equalities and rights.”

    What are critics saying?

    https://twitter.com/Tonyblaney/status/1102866557795999745

     

    https://twitter.com/MarkBinmore/status/1102855095753105408

  • Twitter could be adding this amazing feature to combat bullying

    Twitter could be adding this amazing feature to combat bullying

    Twitter could be adding this one feature that will help combat cyberbullying.

    PhotoMIX-Company / Pixabay

    THEGAYUK has learned that Twitter could be adding a “hide replies” feature. An innovation that could help anyone who is the target of online or cyberbullying remove hateful messages without deleting crucial evidence for the police.

    Twitter, for many, has become a toxic battleground and where cyberbullying is rife. In 2018 THEGAYUK discovered that anti-gay and homophobic slurs were racking up in their millions on the platform. Just before Donald Trump’s win as President in the 2016 US Election, Twitter saw a surge in the word “f*ggot”.

    A hide feature would help users control what they see and when they see it. It could work very similarly to the Turn Off Comments function on YouTube.

    It could also allow the primary user to help control the conversation, remove falsehoods or hate from their timeline, before other users jump in on a thread.

    Twitter has recently rolled out a number of schemes to help detoxify the app.

    In 2018 it said it would ban deadnaming and misgendering for trans people.

    It’s not clear if and when this feature will be rolled out.

     

     

  • School stops LGBT+ lessons after hundreds of parents withdraw their children from classes

    School stops LGBT+ lessons after hundreds of parents withdraw their children from classes

    Around 600 children were removed by their parents from a school in Birmingham on Friday in protest of a lesson that helped children understand about LGBT+ life.

    Wokandapix / Pixabay

    The Parkfield Community primary school in Birmingham has cancelled lessons aiming to teach primary school-aged children about same-sex relationships and gender after the parents of around 600 students at the school withdrew their children in protest.

    The children are thought to be from predominately Muslim families, according to The Guardian.

    The lesson was the brainchild of Andrew Moffat, who was awarded an MBE for his work in LGBT+ equality through the campaign, No Outsiders, where the ethos was to promote LGBT+ equality and to question transphobia and homophobia in primary schools.

    Students were being taught five No Outsiders lessons each school year.

    In a letter to parents, the school said, “Up to the end of this term, we will not be delivering any No Outsiders lessons in our long term year curriculum plan, as this half term has already been blocked for religious education (RE).

    “Equality assemblies will continue as normal and our welcoming No Outsiders ethos will be there for all.

    The school has now confirmed that they have put the lessons on hold and will, according to The Guardian, “resume only after a full consultation with every parent”.

    The letter continued, “The discussions were a helpful first step and identified the key issues that are concerning parents, including the ethos, the books, the age appropriateness, the lessons and the assemblies. The agreed outcome of the meeting was the need to have a discussion with the school community about the No Outsiders curriculum and how it should be delivered.”

    Some parents have argued that their children are “too young” to be learning about same-sex relationships.

    One mother, Fatima Shah said, “We are not a bunch of homophobic mothers. We just feel that some of these lessons are inappropriate. Some of the themes being discussed are very adult and complex and the children are getting confused.

    “They need to be allowed to be children rather than having to constantly think about equalities and rights.”

  • Drag Race’s Felicia Heal’s daughter, 10, has created an incredible and powerful new equality project

    Drag Race’s Felicia Heal’s daughter, 10, has created an incredible and powerful new equality project

    Drag Queen, Felicia Heals’ daughter, Dasha, who is just 10-years-old and her friends have created a beautiful and powerful project all about equality.

    The ten-year-old daughter of Felicia Heals, who made headlines in January after becoming Drag Race Thailand’s first ever bio drag queen hopeful, has created an incredibly powerful and emotional video project, inspired in part by Drag Race Thailand’s star Pangina Heals and the model Cindy Sirinya, to help fellow students at her school realise there is no need to bully or judge other students.

     

    Dasha managed to get Drag Race star Pagina Heals into her video and say the powerful lines ” I am equal”

    Speaking about the project, Felicia Heals said, “As some of you know my daughter has been working on a project about equality that was inspired by @panginaheals And @cindysirinya, I was and am in full support of her idea and this was the video she has created with her friends about equality. The thing she said at the end of the video made me think about our perception on people…

    “Thank you all of you for the support and giving her your time , so she can spread such a wonderful message out”

    The video starts by asking the viewer, “Have you ever judged a person by their gender? By their sexuality? Their skin colour? Or what they do? before allowing a number of people, who identify in many ways, including trans, non-binary and gay to introduce themselves before saying the line “I am equal”.

    Speaking to THEGAYUK, Dasha said, “I got inspiration from the global goals and from all the different but equal people I know.

    “I think that my project will inspire all types of people that can encourage people who are afraid of letting other people know about themselves and fight for their own rights and respect.

    “Also I wanted to open eyes to people in my school to see that no matter how different a person is we are all equal and there is no reason to bully and judge them for being who they are.

    “I am really happy to have different people to join my project no matter what is their gender, sexuality , religion and nationality. And thank you so much for the wishes, I hope it makes a difference for someone.

    “We can all learn alot from people with different backgrounds.

  • UNHCR responds to allegations of “neglect, collusion, and inaction” of LGBT+ asylum seekers

    UNHCR responds to allegations of “neglect, collusion, and inaction” of LGBT+ asylum seekers

    “The safety and security of all refugees is of utmost priority to us. “

    Following on from the allegations from The Peter Tatchell Foundation that LGBT+ asylum seekers are being neglected and victimised in Kenya’s refugee camps, the UNHCR responds.

    Yesterday we reported that according to Peter Tatchell, the UN High Commission For Refugees boss Filippo Grandi had failed to respond to concerns raised by the Peter Tatchell Foundation (PTF) over the alleged failure to protect LGBT+ people in Kenya, who have fled homophobic persecution from neighbouring countries like Uganda.

    The UNHCR has responded by telling THEGAYUK, that “The safety and security of all refugees is of utmost priority to us” and that ‘all LGBTI refugees registered and known to UNHCR in Kakuma are promptly relocated to safer places”.

    Speaking THEGAYUK Peter Tatchell said, “Since 2017, I have received persistent reports of neglect, indifference and abuse by UNHCR staff and those they employ, including the failure of the UNHCR to protect LGBT+ refugees from abuse and violence by other refugees and the Kenyan police,

    “The UNHCR in Kenya has a duty of care towards all refugees, including LGBT+ ones. For at least two years, it has failed that duty of care – and sadly it continues to fail now”.

    The Peter Tatchell Foundation has proposed a five-point plan to the UNHCR to end the threats, violence and exclusion, including removing UNHCR staff and contractors who have behaved in a homophobic way.

    “All LGBTI refugees registered and known to UNHCR in Kakuma are promptly relocated to safer places”

    Speaking to THEGAYUK, a spokesperson for the UNHCR said, “The safety and security of all refugees is of utmost priority to us.

    “UNHCR is responding to Mr. Tatchell’s letter to address his stated concerns. Our Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, Volker Turk, recently wrote to LGBTI activists engaged in this issue and reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to finding a solution to this situation.

    “All LGBTI refugees registered and known to UNHCR in Kakuma are promptly relocated to safer places, where we provide them with shelter, food, water, medical care, legal and psychological counselling and other assistance. We ensure they receive official documentation that legalizes their residence in urban areas, an important measure in light of Kenya’s encampment policy. Assessments are conducted on immediate needs and to identify the best long-term solution.

    “UNHCR is actively advocating with resettlement countries to increase the number of places available for LGBTI refugees. However, the number of resettlement places needed worldwide far outstrips the number of places available. For 2019, just 70,000 places are available for more than 1.4 million refugees UNHCR has identified as in need of resettlement.  Our Nairobi office has been working to secure resettlement for as many LGBTI refugees in Kenya as possible.  In the last part of 2018, we submitted more than 100 LGBTI cases for resettlement from Nairobi and have submitted approximately 150 further cases for consideration so far this year.

    “UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy towards any acts of misconduct by our staff or partners”

    “UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy towards any acts of misconduct by our staff or partners, including homophobic abuse. Any allegation we receive is passed on to our Independent Inspector General for investigation. All UNHCR staff and partners are required to sign our Code of Conduct, under which any acts of homophobic abuse leads to disciplinary measures, including dismissal.

     

  • UN High Commission For Refugees refuses to respond to accusations of abuse toward LGBTs

    UN High Commission For Refugees refuses to respond to accusations of abuse toward LGBTs

    The Peter Tatchell Foundation has written to the UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi, who as failed to respond to accusations of “neglect, collusion, and inaction” over the victimisation of LGBT+ asylum seekers in Kenya’s refugee camps.

    According to Peter Tatchell, the UN High Commission For Refugees boss Filippo Grandi has failed to respond to concerns raised by the Peter Tatchell Foundation (PTF) over the alleged failure to protect LGBT+ people in Kenya, who have fled homophobic persecution from neighbouring countries like Uganda.

    Speaking THEGAYUK Peter Tatchell said, “Since 2017, I have received persistent reports of neglect, indifference and abuse by UNHCR staff and those they employ, including the failure of the UNHCR to protect LGBT+ refugees from abuse and violence by other refugees and the Kenyan police,

    “The UNHCR in Kenya has a duty of care towards all refugees, including LGBT+ ones. For at least two years, it has failed that duty of care – and sadly it continues to fail now”.

    The Peter Tatchell Foundation has proposed a five-point plan to the UNHCR to end the threats, violence and exclusion, including removing UNHCR staff and contractors who have behaved in a homophobic way.

    The letter sent by the PTF was sent to the UNHCR three times since Mid-January. The organisation has yet to response.

    The letter from PTF reads,

    Dear Filippo Grandi and UNHCR colleagues

    Abuse of LGBT+ refugees in Kenya
    I am a human rights defender of 52-years standing and Director of the London-based human rights ngo, the Peter Tatchell Foundation: http://www.petertatchellfoundation.org

    I work with the UK and other governments on human rights issues.

    I echo the concerns expressed by Richard de Luchi and LGBT+ refugees about the failure of the UNHCR to protect Ugandan and other LGBT+ refugees in the Kakuma and Nairobi refugee camps from homophobic abuse, threats and violence by fellow refugees, the Kenyan police and allegedly from some UNHCR staff and their external contracted employees, such as security staff.

    The UNHCR in Kenya has a duty of care towards all refugees, including LGBT+ ones. For at least two years it has failed that duty of care – and sadly it continues to fail now.

    Since 2017, I have received persistent reports of neglect, indifference and abuse by UNHCR staff and those they employ – and their failure to protect victimised LGBT+ refugees from abuse and violence by others. Allegations of prejudice and neglect persist against UNHCR staff.

    This is in clear violation of the UNHCR’s mission statement and brings shame to an esteemed UN organisation.

    You have the power to help put right these terrible wrongs. I urge you and the UNHCR to:

    1. Halt the placement of LGBT+ refugees in the Kakuma camp. It is unsafe.

    2. Transfer all LGBT+ refugees from Kakuma to Nairobi to a secure location, separate from other refugees who may threaten them (not all have been transferred thus far).

    3. Speedily facilitate the resettlement of LGBT+ refugees to safe countries where they can live their lives without fear, threats, discrimination and violence.

    4. Remove UNHCR staff and employed contractors who have behaved in a homophobic way towards LGBT+ refugees from any contact with these refugees and/ or dismiss them from UNHCR work.

    5. Give UNHCR staff training in LGBT+ awareness and the unacceptability of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – and make such prejudice a disciplinary offence.

    I would be grateful to receive your assurances on these five points and be updated
    on progress on their implementation.

    Thank you very much.

    Yours sincerely,

    Peter Tatchell

     

    Speaking to THEGAYUK, a spokesperson for the UNHCR said, “The safety and security of all refugees is of utmost priority to us.

    “UNHCR is responding to Mr. Tatchell’s letter to address his stated concerns. Our Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, Volker Turk, recently wrote to LGBTI activists engaged in this issue and reaffirmed our steadfast commitment to finding a solution to this situation.

    “All LGBTI refugees registered and known to UNHCR in Kakuma are promptly relocated to safer places, where we provide them with shelter, food, water, medical care, legal and psychological counselling and other assistance. We ensure they receive official documentation that legalizes their residence in urban areas, an important measure in light of Kenya’s encampment policy. Assessments are conducted on immediate needs and to identify the best long-term solution.

    “UNHCR is actively advocating with resettlement countries to increase the number of places available for LGBTI refugees. However, the number of resettlement places needed worldwide far outstrips the number of places available. For 2019, just 70,000 places are available for more than 1.4 million refugees UNHCR has identified as in need of resettlement.  Our Nairobi office has been working to secure resettlement for as many LGBTI refugees in Kenya as possible.  In the last part of 2018, we submitted more than 100 LGBTI cases for resettlement from Nairobi and have submitted approximately 150 further cases for consideration so far this year.

    “UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy towards any acts of misconduct by our staff or partners”

    “UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy towards any acts of misconduct by our staff or partners, including homophobic abuse. Any allegation we receive is passed on to our Independent Inspector General for investigation. All UNHCR staff and partners are required to sign our Code of Conduct, under which any acts of homophobic abuse leads to disciplinary measures, including dismissal.

     

     

    This article has been updated since it was first published to reflect the comment by UNHCR

  • Nairobi judges postpone landmark ruling on laws targeting gay community

    Nairobi judges postpone landmark ruling on laws targeting gay community

    The ruling in a constitutional case challenging laws criminalising gay sex has been postponed to 24 May 2019.

    nancydowd / Pixabay

    Justice Mwita said the volume of documents, the inability of the three judges to meet and the demands of other cases were behind the delay in their ruling on the lawfulness of Sections 162, 163 and 165 of the Kenyan Penal Code.

    The judgment, which had been scheduled for 9am this morning (22 February, 2019) was much anticipated, as indicated by the packed courtroom of Kenyan LGBT activists and community members, lawyers, international and national media.

    Tweeting from court today, the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC), which has been supporting the case, said, “To say we are disappointed would be an understatement.”

    The Human Dignity Trust’s Director, Téa Braun, who was also in the Nairobi court this morning, said, “This is tremendously disappointing, particularly for the committed and tenacious activists and lawyers in Kenya who have been working towards this moment for several years. Nonetheless, we must put our trust in the Kenyan justice system. This is a pivotal case, and ultimately the most important thing is a sound and reasoned judgment that will free LGBT Kenyans from discrimination and persecution.”

    Sections 162, 163 and 165 of the Penal Code, which were introduced into Kenyan lawbooks by British colonisers over 100 years ago, made it a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison to ‘have carnal knowledge against the order of nature,’ and for consenting adult men to engage in ‘gross indecency’ with each other which brought a 5-year prison sentence.

    These laws – still on the books across two thirds of the Commonwealth thanks to British colonisation and the failure of decades of independent governments to repeal them – are widely used to stigmatise, harass, discriminate against, arrest and detain LGBT people, and in many countries they have led to violence, including sexual violence, against the LGBT community.

    The case was filed in 2016 and argued by Senior Counsel Paul Muite and Advocate Sande Ligunya in February 2018. It was heard alongside a similar petition brought forward subsequently by the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya and Nyanza Rift Valley and Western Kenya LGBT coalition.

  • X Factor’s Bradley shares horrific story of homophobic attack

    X Factor’s Bradley shares horrific story of homophobic attack

    Former X Factor singer Bradley Hunt has shared a horrific story and pictures from a homophobic attack he sustained while dancing to Britney Spears in a nightclub.

    Bradley Hunt has hit out at homophobes by sharing horrific pictures from a homophobic attack at a nightclub from a man who took issue with the way he was dancing to Britney Spear’s ‘Toxic’.

    The star spoke about he was left with a black eye and a missing tooth after the vicious attack from a man he said took offence to the way Bradley was dancing.

    The reality star said, “I was dancing in Pop World to Britney Spears, I was flicking my neck, doing my dance moves and this guy came up to me. He said, ‘Can you stop dancing like that?’

    “Now I think he was trying to show off to some girls, something like that, and I’m thinking, ‘babes, the girls are loving my dancing. Like, they ain’t bothered at you trying to put me down, you ain’t gonna get a girl that way. Just saying’.

    “Anyway, I said to him, ‘don’t tell me what to do’, and I thought, you don’t tell somebody what to do, especially in a club – it’s Pop World! You don’t tell someone to stop dancing like that, I’m sorry, if you don’t like it, go somewhere else.

    “The pain absolutely killed”

    “Then came the smash right into the nose, then two of his mates on either side ricocheting, punching, thumping me, I’ve never been hit before and the pain absolutely killed.”

    Getting emotional, he continued “I had an instant headache and I absolutely panicked, I was screaming. I ran to the bar crying, I can feel one of teeth half of it in my hands, blood. I jumped over the bar because I was so scared, ran down to the beer cellar and was on the floor in tears, panicking. Obviously, I was drunk and it just came as a shock to me.

    Arrested

    “I called the police, they came and actually managed to find one of them around the corner and arrested him. And he stayed in the cell for a night but other than that nothing really happened. I did a statement at the police station but what can you do?”

    He added, “Homophobia’s still here. With me, some people recognise me so there’s a level of, they can say a joke, the can stare, they can laugh, that’s fine. I’ve been on the TV, I was the joke act, you can laugh and stare. But when people say ‘batty boy’, ‘queer’ or anything like that, or try and intimidate me, Nah. I don’t tolerate it.”

    Video

    The star added a video to explain the full story

     

     

  • 15-year-old boy hospitalised after a ‘homophobic attack’ in Bury

    15-year-old boy hospitalised after a ‘homophobic attack’ in Bury

    Another 15-year-old boy has been arrested following the alleged homophobic incident in Bury, to the north of Manchester.

    geralt / Pixabay

    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.

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on-site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

  • Man jailed jailed for homophobic and racist abuse at Brighton Pride

    Man jailed jailed for homophobic and racist abuse at Brighton Pride

    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.”

     

    YOUR SUPPORT MEANS EVERYTHING

    Help us deliver unique, usable and reliable journalism that supports the gay, bisexual and curious community of the United Kingdom. Can you help protect LGBT+ media? Publishers like us have come under severe threat by the likes of Google and Facebook. The problem is that advertisers are choosing to put their money with them, rather than with niche publishers like us. Our goal is to eliminate banner ads altogether on site and we can do that if you could pledge us a tiny amount each month.

    We’re asking our readers to pledge just £1 per month, more if you’re feeling swanky. You can stop payment at any time.

    It’s quick and easy to sign up and you’ll only have to do it once.

    Click to start the journey and support THEGAYUK!

     

     

  • WATCH the terrifying anti-gay, acid attack on London’s streets

    WATCH the terrifying anti-gay, acid attack on London’s streets

    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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