Gay man left with broken jaw after brutal homophobic attack in Brighton

A 21-year-old man from London has been arrested following an attack on a gay man in Brighton last weekend.

Ex-model Aaron Carey, 26, was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital following an attack on Brighton seafront last Sunday (May 8).

The attack happened outside Legends, a bar and hotel at the seafront, and the attacker reportedly shouted homophobic slurs and then punched him, leaving Carey with a broken jaw.

Speaking to Brighton and Hove News, Sussex police said: “The victim, a 26-year-old from Eastbourne, was approached by a man who used homophobic language before being punched in the face and suffering a broken jaw.

“A 21-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of assault and GBH with intent. He has been bailed until June 13.”

A friend of Aaron Carey, Brian Markintosh, has said that Carey is six feet tall but “he’s such a gentle giant. He’s the kindest person you could imagine.”

“This geezer broke his jaw with a knuckleduster. He was filming the young gay guys. And when he was attacking him he was shouting all this Muslim stuff but no one wants to hear that.”

This follows another attack in Brighton earlier this month (2 May), where two men suffered head and facial injuries. Police do not believe the incidents to be linked.

Sergeant Peter Allan said that the victims are recovering from their attacks and encourages victims of hate crimes to come forward.

“While we have not seen an increase in homophobic hate crimes, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage those who have been victims of hate crime to report them to us.”

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