Gay couple kicked and beaten by gang in suspected homophobic hate crime

A police investigation has been launched into a suspected homophobic attack after a gay man and his partner were assaulted by a gang of youths in a Shropshire park.

Matthew Seward, 32, and his partner Laurence Cerrone were walking through Jubilee Park, Whitchurch shortly after 12.3oam on Sunday (June 3) when they were set upon by a group of about nine youths, the Shropshire Star reports.

The pair were beaten and kicked during the “totally unprovoked” assault, which left Mr Seward needing to go Royal Shrewsbury Hospital hospital to receive treatment for his injuries. One of the gang also took his mobile phone while he was one the floor during the attack.

Mr Seward, who lives in Northamptonshire but was in Whitchurch for the town’s Party in the Park event which had taken place earlier that day, says the group was comprised of several young men aged around 15-21, as well as a young girl aged around 15 who at one point tried to stop the attack.

He told the Shropshire Star: “We’re struggling to get our heads around why it happened, we did absolutely nothing to provoke the lads.

“I’d say I was a friendly person, I’m the type of person who says hello, how do, which I did, they probably heard my voice, realised I wasn’t from round here and maybe that was enough to antagonise them.”

Local police are treating the incident as a suspected hate crime and have appeal for potential witnesses to come forward.

Victoria Smith, organisational communications assistant for West Mercia Police, said: “Officers are investigating a report of a physical assault on two men in Jubilee Park, Whitchurch.

“It happened at around 12.39am on Sunday (4 June) when the victims were walking through the park, towards Smallbrook Road.

“It is reported that the men encountered a group of approximately nine youths where there was an exchange of words. One of the victims was struck and fell to the ground. The other victim was physically assaulted when he tried to intervene.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing but officers are keen for anyone who saw the assault, who witnessed anyone acting suspiciously or who was in the area at the time of the incident, to come forward.

“Officers are treating this as a hate crime.”

Anyone with information about the attack is being asked to contact West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 , quoting incident number 28S of June 4.

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