Man punched and choked unconscious by gang in horrific homophobic attack in London
Police have launched an urgent appeal for information following the unprovoked atttack on Blackheath Common on Sunday night (7 April).
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude
A gang of up to six people punched and choked a man unconcious before dragging him along the ground and stealing his car in a barbaric homophobic attack in London, the Metropolitan Police have said.
The victim, 36, was walking on Blackheath Common in an area known as Blackheath Dip shortly before 10.30pm on Sunday (7 April) when he was attacked by a group of around five males, and possibly a female.
The group used homophpbic slurs as they repeatedly punched the man in the face and choked him, causing him to lose consciousness.
After dragging the victim across the ground by his hood, causing him to hit his face against the pavement, the gang stole his car keys and drove off his white Peugeot 208 Access, which contained his mobile phone and wallet.
The attack took place the on Blackheath Common, Greenwich shortly before 10.30pm on Sunday (7 April)
Police were called to the scene at Vanbrugh Park Road in Blackheath at 10.23pm on Sunday, where they found the victim with brusing and bleeding to his face.
The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital. He has since been discharged but it still recovering from his injuries and remains in shock.
Police have launched an urgent appeal for information following the brutal attack, which they are treating as a hate crime.
One of the males was described as white, with a thin face, thin lips and spoke with a London accent. He was wearing a grey hooded jumper.
Detective Constable Adam Pearce said: “This was a completely unprovoked and targeted assault and we believe there may be further victims not yet in contact with police.
“Both the attack and the homophobic motivation of this assault are abhorrent and I appeal to anyone with any information that could assist the investigation to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference CAD 7270 of April 7, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.