Man arrested following homophobic attack in Birmingham
Rob and Patrick were attacked on 15 August outside Missing Bar on Bromsgrove Street.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Twitter/@LindaRiley8
A man has been arrested in connection with a homophobic attack in Birmingham which resulted in two men being taken to hospital.
Rob and Patrick, who are both in their thirties, were attacked by a group of men who hurled homophobic abuse at them and hit them with bottles outside the Missing bar in Bromsgrove Street on 15 August.
A woman who was with the gay couple suffered a foot injury as well.
“A brutal attack”
West Midlands Police say that a 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of wounding and remains in police custody.
Police want to speak to Sohail Khan, 24, and Ishaaq Ayaz, 21, both from Birmingham – about the attack.
Police still want to speak to Ishaaq Ayaz (left) and Sohail Khan in connection with the attack (Image: West Midlands Police)
Sergeant Marc Petford from Force CID said: “We’ve had a good response to our appeal and I’m grateful for people sharing it far and wide. This was a brutal attack and we need to find the people responsible.
“One man has been arrested following our appeal and I would encourage the other two to follow suit and also come and speak to us.”
Patrick was knocked unconscious in the attack and both men suffered injuries to their heads and hands. After one of the attackers stole one of the men’s phones their friend, a woman, tried to retrieve it and was dragged down the street by the group’s SUV resulting in a foot injury.
Speaking to the BBC after the attack Rob said the pair had been at a friend’s party before going out. He says he saw balloons in the SUV as the men went by and asked if it was their birthday.
“They did not like that and went into all sort of foul language, including homophobic slurs directed at us.” He also said: “The Gay Village should be a safe area to be who you want and not have to tolerate people yelling homophobic remarks at you.”
Anyone with any information is being urged to contact West Midlands Police by calling 101 or using Live Chat via the force’s website. People can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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