Lesbians in rural train ‘attack’ after kiss
A court has heard claims that a 16-year-old lesbian in Sussex was attacked on a train after kissing her girlfriend.
April James, 19, is accused of attacking the girl in October after people in her party hurled homophobic abuse at the young couple, the Bexhill Observer reports.
The prosecution said they were unable to prove Ms James made homophobic comments herself, but said she was in the group that did.
Mark Kateley, prosecuting at Hastings Crown Court, said: “When the victim and her partner objected to the comments made, she was then assaulted by a group of females during which she was punched, had her hair pulled and at one point had her head banged against the door and ended up on the floor being kicked a number of times on the floor.
“The defendant admits making a kick to the head or shoulder.”
The attack reportedly ensued after the girls, both 16, kissed and the victim drank from a bottle of alcohol which was being shared on the train.
Her victim statement said: “This incident made me feel ashamed of who I am and made me scared of going out and getting on a train.
“It made me scared of being with my girlfriend.
“It has taken me a long time to be confident with my sexuality and this has knocked me back down.”
The defendant claimed the train was too busy for her to have assaulted the girl in the carriage, but accepts kicking her on the platform at Bexhill.
A further hearing is scheduled to take place in April at Hastings Magistrates Court due to disputed facts.
