Homophobic attack on Clapham Common
A violent homophobic assault on Clapham Common left the victim unconscious in hospital with a broken leg.
Now out of intensive care, the victim of the attack has spoken to the police for the first time. He described how he was verbally and physically assaulted, in a vicious and unprovoked assault that left him with serious facial scarring.
The 40 year old victim was approached on Saturday at 4am as he walked near a wooded area of Clapham Common. The two men spoke, and the victim revealed that he was gay. He was then brutally assaulted. A witness alerted the ambulance and the police.
The attacker, said to be in mid 40s, with dark skin, was wearing a black hooded top with a white band on the hood and dark trousers, had earlier behaved in an aggressive manner towards a 29 year old man on the Common, pulling his scarf and causing minor injuries to his neck.
The area has been searched for forensic information, and Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward if they have any information that might lead to the arrest of the attacker.
DCI Sue Knight, who is leading the investigation said: “We want to hear from anyone who may have information about this man, did you see him, have you been assaulted in similar circumstances?”
“We recognise that some people, particularly those using this area of
the common may be reluctant to come forward, however we can assure
them that any information you provide will be treated in the strictest
confidence.”
She hoped that people would be on their guard against further attacks: “We would also urge people to be extremely careful and consider their personal safety if they are using this area in the hours of darkness.”
Anyone with information can contact Wandsworth CID on 020 8247
5435, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111
