02/12/2014

Police Release Images Following Homophobic Attack

CCTV images have been released by police after a man was assaulted in a homophobic attack at Piccadilly Gardens.

The attack happened at around 1am on Saturday 1st November 2014 when the 25-year-old victim was on a tram travelling to Manchester and an argument started between him and another man.

When the victim got off the tram at Manchester Piccadilly tram stop, the man followed him and shouted at him. The victim was then approached by a group of between 10 and 20 people and was punched and kicked until he lost consciousness and the group fled the scene.

Detective Constable Tim Greenwood of City Centre division said: "We are treating this as a homophobic assault, as the men made homophobic comments to the victim as they attacked him.

"The attack was totally unprovoked and the message is clear: we simply will not tolerate it.

"The victim was badly beaten and had to have stitches to his face, as a result of this vicious attack. He was understandably very distressed by what happened and specially trained officers have supported him.

"We want to speak to the man and woman pictured in the CCTV images who may have vital information that would assist us with the investigation.

"I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information about what happened to contact police immediately."

(CD/IT)

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